DHAKA: Dozens of people were injured in violence that erupted as Thai police began clearing protest sites in the capital, Bangkok.

More than 40 people were injured and one police officer killed in the violence, reports say.

Police are trying to retake official sites that have been blocked by demonstrators since late last year.

Earlier on Tuesday, they arrested around 100 protesters outside a ministry building.

Thailand has been embroiled in a political crisis since anti-government protests began in November.

Demonstrators have occupied official sites over the past few months, calling on the government to step down. The government has announced that it wants to retake all the besieged buildings this week.

The prime minister`s office, Government House, has been a focal point for the demonstrators. Thousands gathered outside the building on Monday, cementing the gates shut in a bid to stop officials returning to work.

Early on Tuesday, police started negotiations with the protesters, who over the past few days have come in large numbers to defend protest areas.

Violence then erupted near Democracy Monument in central Bangkok, and one police officer was shot dead, police said.

There are also reports of police being injured by grenade attacks and shrapnel from bomb blasts.

The city`s Erawan emergency medical centre said that more than 40 people were injured, although it did not report the breakdown between police and protesters.

Elsewhere, police reclaimed the besieged Ministry of Energy, with around 100 protesters arrested.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1410 HRS, FEB 18, 2014