In Bangladesh arson and violence marked the first day of the 60-hour hartal called by Opposition to press its demand for non-partisan election-time government in the country.

AIR Dhaka correspondent reports that despite heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, capital Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh experienced violence and arson today.

As police fought pitched battles with opposition activists, who torched buses and trucks, and hurled crude bombs, they also recovered a bomb haul in a staff quarter of Dhaka University.

Dhaka Metropolitan police have filed 16 cases in connection with a string of violent incidents including attacks on police stations and setting fire to public property. The son and daughter of the country's Attorney General have been sent death threats.

In other parts of Bangladesh, two trains were set on fire at Jopypurhat injuring over 50 passengers. A Hindu temple was reportedly attacked in Rajshahi along with shops and business establishments.

Meanwhile noted civil society members are urging the Opposition to withdraw the hartal and accept the PM's invitation for negotiaons over the issue of polls-time government.