Government orders curfew in Dhaka

DHAKA - Bangladesh's Army-backed interim Government ordered an indefinite curfew in the capital Dhaka and five other cities yesterday after the presence of soldiers at a campus football match sparked violent protests.

Political analysts said the protests, which started at the Dhaka University on Monday and have since spread to other institutions in the capital and across the country, might pose a serious challenge to the Government.

In a brief televised speech to the nation, Fakhruddin Ahmed, chief of the interim government, called the violence a "conspiracy" and said the measures would be withdrawn when the situation improves.

- Reuters