Bangladesh capital bans rallies; government buildings torched

Police in Bangladesh’s capital banned all public rallies yesterday after the deadliest day of ongoing student protests so far saw government buildings torched by demonstrators and the imposition of a nationwide internet blackout.

- 

This week’s unrest has killed at least 39 people, including 32 on Thursday, with the toll expected to rise after reports of clashes in nearly half of the country’s 64 districts.

Students took to the streets again on Friday morning ahead of pro-government counter-demonstrations slated to begin after midday prayers in the Muslim-majority nation.

Dhaka’s police force took the drastic step of banning all public gatherings for the day – a first since protests began – in an effort to forestall another day of violence.

“We’ve banned all rallies, processions and publ ic gatherings in Dhaka today,” police chief Habibur Rahman told