Bangladeshi Protest: At least 22 people lost their lives

About 200,000 marched to central Dhaka where fierce clashes erupted between thousands fo rock-throwing protesters and security

At least 22 people lost their lives as police clashed with tens of thousands of hardline Islamists protesters in Bangladesh's capital. 

It has been alledged up to half a million supporters of a group known as Hefazat-e Islam gathered in the city to call for stronger Islamic policies to govern the troubled country. Protesters went on to set fire to shops and vehicles destroying in their paths.

"Some causalities suffered bullet wounds in the head and other critical parts on their bodies", a source from hospital say.

 The deadly protest occurred amid a demand for an anti-blasphemy law that would provide the death penalty for anyone that insult Prophet Mohamed or the Quaran. Protesters were chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest) and "One point, One demand; Atheists must be hanged", activists form the hardline Hefajat-e-Islam said as they marched along six highways with transport totally blocked.

A police officer who took part in the protest said, security forces started the eviction of the activists and supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, which resulted into 50 of them being injured including policemen.

Police used sound grenades, water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to restore order in the capital to at least 70,000 Islamists who have already camped at a key commercial district to demanding a blasphemy law.

During the morning hours of Monday, officers had restored some form of orders in the business district and were searching for more protesters who may be hiding in surrounding building.

Sources: Aljazeera, Worldnews & BBC News Asia