Bangladesh police, opposition clash, 50 injured

DHAKA, March 12 (Reuters) - At least 50 people were injured in the Bangladeshi capital on Sunday in clashes between police and opposition activists during a demonstration for electoral reforms, police and witnesses said.

The clashes erupted as hundreds of opposition workers pushed through a police barricade and marched to the election commission's office, demanding the resignation of the election commissioner, who they said was biased.

Police fired tear gas shells and used water canons to break up the protest, launched by a 14-party alliance led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to compel the government to make the election commission more independent, ahead of elections next year.

Police said at least 20 opposition workers were detained after they burnt a bus and damaged vehicles during the protest on Sunday, which is a working day in Muslim Bangladesh.

"The situation is under control, but there have been sporadic clashes," a senior police officer said, as hundreds of police in riot gear stood guard outside key government buildings.

Opposition leaders said they had planned a peaceful protest and blamed the authorities for the violence.

"It is an unprovoked attack on a peaceful march. A number senior leaders of our party have been injured," Tofael Ahmed, a leader of the main opposition Awami League, said.

Political analysts say the year to the polls is likely to see a surge in violence between rival parties, as Hasina warned she might boycott -- or even try to resist -- the election unless Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia met her demands for electoral reforms.