One was dead and dozens were injured in stray incidents of violence in the second day of Bangladesh's opposition-enforced countrywide non-stop blockade which began on Tuesday morning, sources said.

They said a leader of ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was dead and 20 were injured in clashes between police and anti-government protesters in southeastern Noakhali district, some 158 km away of capital Dhaka, on Wednesday evening.

Huge clashes between protesters and police have also been reported in parts of capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

Police reportedly used tear gas and rubber bullets against opposition members.

Scores of people, including police, were injured in the violence.

Sources say eight-10 vehicles were smashed or set on fire during the hours of blockade in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

The traffic on Dhaka streets remained relatively thin as most private vehicles were kept indoors.

Ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who remained cordoned off inside her office since Saturday night, has announced indefinite blockade across the country and urged members of her 20-party alliance to continue the protest, demanding fresh parliament polls under a non-party caretaker government.

Khaleda Zia made the announcement after she was barred to a her alliance's anti-government rally on Jan. 05 in capital Dhaka.

Khaleda Zia on Wednesday night at a press briefing raised a seven-point proposal to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian's government for an immediate "inclusive general elections" under a non-party caretaker government.

Khaleda Zia's 20-party alliance has been waging mass protests demanding for fresh national elections in the country under a non- party caretaker government.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party has already rejected the proposals. Endi

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