Opposition activists in Bangladesh are expected to announce more street protests in the capital, Dhaka, after fighting pitched battles with police on Tuesday.

Supporters of the Awami League-led opposition, protesting against elections scheduled for January 22, defied a police ban on rallies and marches for a third day.

The 19-party alliance will outline their plans during a rally a short distance from the presidential palace in Dhaka.

About 60,000 soldiers were deployed across Bangladesh on Wednesday to maintain security ahead of the elections, the home ministry said.

A spokesman said the deployment to all of the country's 64 districts and about 500 sub-districts would be completed later in the day.

Rights groups have criticised the plan saying army officers could abuse their power to arrest.

On Tuesday, police using batons and tear gas struggled to drive back activists hurling stones, bricks and homemade bombs.

At least 100 people were injured and dozens detained by police, witnesses said.

"Smoke from the homemade bombs and tear gas shells covered the area, with people running for cover," one witness said.

The injured included 20 leaders of different parties. About 230 people have been injured in clashes during the past three days.

Abdul Jalil, general-secretary of the Awami League, said they would defy all bans to implement their protest.

He called on alliance leaders and workers to resist the elections and urged voters to boycott the poll.

Local media has reported that the opposition is planning non-stop blockades during election day.

Reiterating an earlier ban, police said that anyone causing disruption would be "dealt with severely" but they were braced for more violence as the alliance, led by Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister, said it would block roads leading to the palace of Iajuddin Ahmed, the president, who heads the caretaker administration.

Hasina has accused Ahmed of bias and demanded that he and election commissioners step down before elections are held.

PHOTO CAPTION

Bangladeshi police beat activists of the 14-party opposition alliance during clashes on the third day of a transport blockade in Dhaka. Some 60,000 soldiers were deploying across Bangladesh on Wednesday to maintain security ahead of the disputed January 22 general elections, the home ministry said. (AFP)