Violence erupts in Bangladesh as ousted PM's supporters stage protest

Police in Bangladesh have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse supporters of the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who are demanding her return to the country.



A police vehicle was set on fire in Gopalganj district, where the banned student wing of Hasina's Awami League party clashed with security forces.



Nationwide protests by pro-Hasina activists started a day after the former leader said she had requested a passport to return to Bangladesh from exile in India.



The demonstrations by the student wing, called Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), are seen as the first organised show of force by Hasina's supporters since she was ousted in August 2024 following a huge uprising against her rule.