New York, Dec 5 (IANS)

Violence by opposition protestors and use of excessive force by the security forces needs to end in Bangladesh, where national elections are scheduled for Jan 5, 2014, a human rights group based here said Thursday.

"With election sentiments at bursting point, Bangladeshi security forces need to overcome their long history of using unlawful force against opposition protestors and respond in a way that is professional and non-partisan," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The opposition alliance led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has held large-scale and often violent protests throughout the country for weeks and security forces have at times responded with excessive force, the group said in a statement.

The BNP and its allies are calling for tougher agitations like general strikes and blockades to push for a non-party government to conduct the polls.

Nearly 40 people have been killed in the recent violence during the opposition programmes across Bangladesh.

Political parties and protest leaders should act to prevent violence by their supporters, including against the security forces, the statement said.

The group urged the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the main opposition BNP to take steps to avoid further deaths and abuses.

"The leaders of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party need to take urgent steps to avoid further deaths and abuses," Brad Adams said.

"Pre-election violence has already cost too many lives in Bangladesh. Only responsible leadership can bring an end to this senseless loss of life," Brad Adams added.

Earlier, the election commission announced that the country's 10th parliamentary elections will be held Jan 5, 2014.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has asked Sheikh Hasina to bring back the non-party caretaker system, or else the opposition would not participate in the next elections because it fears the polls without the non-party caretaker government will not be free and fair.

Both parties are seeking dialogue to end the impasse over the formation of the poll-time government, but no headway has been made so far.