Dhaka: Thousands of Bangladeshi football fans went on the rampage, damaging scores of cars and buses in Dhaka, after power cuts blacked out television coverage of an eagerly awaited World Cup match.
Angry supporters also vandalised electricity distribution centres across the country late Saturday after screens went blank for Argentina's 1-0 victory over Nigeria, amid media reports of police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
"Fans were furious because they could not watch the Argentina versus Nigeria match due to power cuts. Thousands spilled onto the streets and damaged cars and buses," Dhaka police chief A.K.M Shahidul Haq told AFP.
Protesters also blockaded a main road in the capital and burnt tyres and a police vehicle, leading to hours of traffic jams.
Argentina, coached by maverick former player Diego Maradona, are a fans' favourite in Bangladesh, where the World Cup has a huge following even though Bangladesh did not qualify for the tournament in South Africa.
Faridul Haq, head of Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), said at least five electricity supply centres had been vandalised by fans in the capital alone.
"They stormed our offices and threw stones and rocks at our men. We are helpless to meet their demand. We have pleaded for increased security for all our offices," he told AFP.
The DPDC has used loudspeakers and advertisements to urge people not to use air conditioners and for shops to shut down early in an effort to maximise power supply during World Cup matches.
The country's rural power authority said at least nine of its offices had also been damaged.
Private television Channel i said police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at several places to disperse angry fans.
Dhaka police chief Haq said extra officers had been deployed to protect workers and machinery at power company offices and plants, and urged fans to understand the dire state of the Bangladeshi national grid.
"The reality is that the country does not produce enough power to ensure uninterrupted supply. Fans should understand the situation. Vandalism does not help," he said.
Bangladesh generates around 4,000 megawatts of power a day, far short of its 6,000 megawatt demand. Authorities try to manage the shortfall by rationing power supply nationwide, with blackouts every other hour.
Police chief Haq said wealthy football fans could help by setting up wide-screen televisions powered by generators in open spaces so that fans could watch the matches during blackouts.
