AT LEAST two people died in clashes with police today during anti-government protests in Bangladesh.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) enforced a three-day transport blockade across the country to demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections next year.

Ms Hasina ruled out dialogue and warned the opposition of the consequences if they continue the blockade.

Two BNP supporters died and 40 other people were injured on the blockade’s first day in the central district of Kishoreganj, said local government administrator Abul Kalam Azad.

Clashes in Narayanganj district outside the capital, Dhaka, saw three police officers stabbed.

The United News of Bangladesh agency also reported violence including vandalism and arson in Dhaka and other districts.

Dozens of people were arrested, reports said.

The government has been under pressure for months as the BNP, led by former PM Khaleda Zia, staged anti-government protests.

A general election is expected in January, and the political situation is tense as the Election Commission prepares to announce the schedule.

On Saturday, the BNP held a massive rally in Dhaka that also turned violent.

The following day, the party held a day-long general strike across Bangladesh when authorities arrested a key opposition politician.

The BNP then announced three days of blockade.

The foreign missions of Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Britain and the United States in Dhaka issued a joint statement on Monday urging all sides to refrain from violence and work together to create conditions for a free, fair and peaceful election.