DHAKA: Anti-government protesters cut off electricity to the prime minister’s office compound on Thursday and demanded that police abandon the premises, piling pressure on the government amid a political crisis that has dragged on for weeks.

The protesters, seeking to force the replacement of caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government before a February 2 election, have threatened to force their way in if police do not leave.

Police attempts to negotiate were rebuffed, but they did not withdraw immediately.

The prime minister was not in her offices at the time and shortly afterward gave a televised address from an unidentified location in which she announced a December 15 meeting of all sectors of society to try to find a solution to the crisis.

The protest leadership has demanded a meeting with senior military and police officials, a call which has so far been rejected, at least publicly, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1930 HRS, DEC 12, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor