Witnesses say more than 100 people including many police have been injured in clashes between opposition activists and security officials in southeastern Bangladesh.

The United News of Bangladesh news agency says the violence broke out Sunday in Chittagong when police blocked a rally by Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamic party. Witnesses say at least 100 people were injured.

United News says police swung batons and fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, who threw stones.

Party spokesman Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury says dozens of protesters were arrested.

Jamaat is a key partner of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which has staged protests since last month over the disappearance of one of its leaders.

It blames the government but authorities deny the allegation.