At least 16 people have died in clashes in Bangladesh at the start of a strike called over a death sentence given to an Islamist party leader, according to BBC News.

Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, of Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced on charges including murder, rape and torture during the war of independence in 1971. The sentence sparked riots that have left about 60 people dead.

The Islamists say the tribunal is politically motivated, something the Bangladesh government denies. Jamaat-e-Islami called a two-day strike across the country, in protest at the court ruling.

Troops were called in in the northern district of Bogra, where police said thousands of Jamaat activists armed with sticks and home-made bombs attacked police outposts early on Sunday, March 3.

At least eight people were killed and dozens hurt in clashes in the district. There were at least two further deaths in the north-western town of Godagari. Border guards and police opened fire on protesters who were attacking police with sticks and stones, an official told the news agency AFP. And another three people died in the Joypurhar district, the Daily Star newspaper said.