Bangladesh suspends trading as stock market plunged

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeBangladesh suspended trading at its main stock exchange Monday and security officials used batons to disperse thousands of angry investors upset over a market plunge.

The benchmark Dhaka Stock Exchange general index (DGEN) rose 80 percent in 2010 but has fallen several times over the last few weeks. It tumbled 7.8 percent Sunday and 9 percent in early trading Monday, prompting an indefinite suspension on trading.

After the protesters began gathering Monday morning, authorities used batons to try to keep the demonstrations from spreading, police official Mohammad Shohidullah said.

But protesters continued to demonstrate at several busy intersections in Dhaka's Motijheel commercial district, where the stock exchange is located, smashing vehicles, burning tires and chanting anti-government slogans, Shohidullah said. More...