Bangladesh police arrest a key opposition leader as violence leaves 3 dead and many injured

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Authorities in Bangladesh arrested a key opposition figure from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday and sent him to prison after hours of detention.

The party had called for a nationwide strike after violent clashes with security forces a day earlier.

Media reports said at least three civilians died in the violence, which included an arson attack in the nation's capital, Dhaka, on Sunday. Dozens of others were injured during the strike.

At least one police officer was killed and scores were injured Saturday when a massive rally by tens of thousands of opposition activists turned violent, police said. The opposition is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections next year.

Almost nine hours after detention, police late Sunday arrested Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the secretary general of the Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Hasina's main rival, said Faruk Hossain, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in charge of media.

Detectives produced Alamgir before a magistrate court late Sunday when his bail request was rejected and he was ordered to be sent to prison, pending further legal procedures involving charges of vandalism during Saturday's violence.

Police said a group of opposition supporters attacked the official residence of the country's chief justice during Saturday's protest. Alamgir has been implicated in the case.

The party denounced his detention and announced a three-day blockade of mainly roads and public transportation across the country starting on Tuesday.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman said that Alamgir was detained for questioning. Under the law, he must appear in court within 24 hours.

Hossain also said that 1,300 people were being investigated for Saturday's violence. Local reports said police had raided the homes of several opposition leaders overnight in Dhaka.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters that leaders of Zia's party have to bear responsibility for their role in the violence, the United News of Bangladesh agency reported.

Amid growing tension in a country dominated by the two major dynastic political parties of Hasina and Zia, the ruling party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader said Sunday that there would be no dialogue with the opposition before the election unless it agrees with four issues, including the ruling out of a caretaker government.

The party is also demanding that Hasina remain the head of government until the election, and it rejects any changes to the Election Commission.

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