More than 30 people have been injured in a clash between demonstrators and security forces in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.
The violence erupted Wednesday after hundreds of demonstrators gathered
to protest the government's decision to award offshore oil and gas
exploration contracts to two foreign firms.
Police stopped the demonstrators as they tried to march to the
headquarters of Petrobangla, a government energy agency. Witnesses say
baton-wielding police clashed with stone-throwing protesters.
The protest was organized by the National Committee to Protect Oil,
Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports. The demonstrators say they
believe the government is handing over Bangladesh's resources to
foreign groups.
Last month, the government approved deals that will allow the
U.S.-based ConocoPhillips company and Ireland's Tullow Oil to conduct
offshore oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal.
Last year, a dispute between Bangladesh and Burma over oil and gas
exploration rights along the maritime border in the Bay of Bengal
prompted Bangladesh to sent warships to the region.
Our Dhaka Stringer Amir Khasru has more on the story.