Bangladesh capital bans rallies after government buildings torched

Dhaka: Police inBangladesh s capital banned all public rallies on Friday, a day after the deadliest round of student protests so far saw government bu...

Dhaka: Police in Bangladesh's capital banned all public rallies on Friday, a day after the deadliest round of student protests so far saw government buildings torched by demonstrators and the imposition of a nationwide internet blackout.

This week's unrest has killed at least 50 people, according to an AFP count of victims reported by hospitals, and emerged as an unprecedented threat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government after 15 years in office.

Students took to the streets again on Friday morning ahead of pro-government counter-demonstrations slated to begin after midday prayers.

Dhaka's police force took the drastic step of banning all public gatherings for the day -- a first since protests began -- in an effort to forestall another day of violence.

"We've banned all rallies, processions and public gatherings in Dhaka today," police chief Habibur Rahman told AFP, adding the move was necessary to ensure "public safety".