Trouble broke out after the main opposition leader, Khaleda Zia, addressed tens of thousands of supporters in central Dhaka.

Police fired tear gas and became involved in clashes in which about 100 people were injured.

Earlier, several other people were hurt in scuffles at a nearby rally held by an Islamic party allied with Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party - the biggest opposition group.

Violence was also reported on the outskirts of the capital, where trucks blocked access to the city and prevented many opposition supporters from joining the demonstration.

Remote

The opposition alliance is protesting against the government's proposal to allow India to send goods through Bangladesh to reach remote parts of north-eastern Indian states such as Assam.

The opposition says Bangladeshi sovereignty is at stake.

The government however argues that the plan would bring Bangladesh much needed revenue and employment for Bangladeshi truck drivers.

The governing Awami League is friendlier towards India than the opposition parties which are trying to play on public fears of Bangladesh's vast neighbour to compel the government to resign.

The government has urged opposition parties to come and debate the trans-shipment proposal in parliament before any decision is taken.

But the opposition parties say they will continue to boycott parliament unless the government drops the plan.