DHAKA, Bangladesh — News reports say police have opened fire and used batons on crowds of stone-throwing opposition activists in several Bangladesh towns, killing at least three people and injuring more than 100.

The United News of Bangladesh news agency says the violence occurred Sunday when two opposition parties held protests demanding the reinstatement of a 15-year-old system in which independent caretaker governments oversee national elections. The system was scrapped by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The opposition says elections will be rigged if held under the current government.

Doctors at two hospitals in the eastern towns of Chandpur and Laxmipur confirmed that three men died from bullet injuries.