Six people were shot dead by police in northern Bangladesh during protests over high food prices and shortages of power and fuel.
In the latest violence, a 60-year-old man and a young boy were among those killed, in the town of Kanshat, officials said, adding that more than 100 people had been injured. Nearly 20 policemen were also injured.
Police detained dozens of protesters, raided many homes and beat women and children, local journalists said. They said at least 16 people have now died in the protests since January in the town, where farmers are demanding reliable supplies of power and fuel to run their irrigation pumps.
Authorities reinforced security in Kanshat to quell the protests, which have flared since January and have become a focal point of nationwide anger over soaring food prices.
Across the country, food prices have risen 40 per cent over the past two months, and fuel - particularly diesel - is in short supply. Power is routinely cut for up to four hours a day.
Prices of food including rice, fish, meat, sugar, vegetables, fruits and edible oil have risen by at least 40 per cent over the past two months, with no visible government moves to halt the increases.
The protests and shortages could have a strong bearing on a parliamentary election set for January 2007, in which opposition leader Sheikh Hasina and current Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia are likely to face off for a fourth time.