Four youth killed amid political turmoil in Bangladesh

Dhaka: The bodies of four young men, allegedly lynched while indulging in sabotage to enforce an opposition-sponsored indefinite closure, were recovered here Monday amid the political turmoil that has gripped Bangladesh since January.

While three of the bodies were found in Dhaka's Kaziparha area, the fourth body was found in Mirpur in the early hours Monday, bdnews24.com reported.

"Local residents told us that the victims were trying to unleash violence and they were beaten to death," said a police official.

"The victims also had bullet wounds and were taken to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) around 2 a.m. where doctors declared them brought dead," another police official said.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies -- who boycotted the general elections held Jan 5 last year -- have enforced a non-stop nationwide blockade since Jan 6, demanding fresh parliamentary polls under a non-party caretaker government system.

More than 100 people have been killed so far in the ensuing political violence and most of them have been killed during firebomb attacks on public vehicles. The numerous strikes have crippled normal life in the country.