By Nizam Ahmed

DHAKA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Bangladesh relaxed a curfew for most of Saturday, despite attempts to defy it by unidentified activists, police said.

The capital Dhaka was bustling on Saturday morning after the authorities relaxed the curfew for 17 hours.

"The curfew will remain relaxed from 6 a.m. (0000 GMT) to 11 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Saturday," a statement from the home ministry said.

Police reported minor cases of unrest the previous day.

"Several petty attempts to break the curfew were reported on Friday, in Dhaka and five other cities but the situation was taken under control immediately," a senior police officer, who asked not to be identified, said.

This included five vehicles damaged by unidentified activists in Dhaka late on Friday.

Activists threw stones and smashed vehicles with sticks in Malibagh district in Dhaka and similarly brief curfew-busting attempts occurred in several other cities.

The curfew -- which shut down public transport, schools, banks, clinics and pharmacies -- was imposed in Dhaka and five other cities on Wednesday after a student-led protest against the presence of troops at a football match on Monday at the Dhaka University campus turned violent and spread across the country.

One man was killed and nearly 300 were injured in clashes with security forces in Dhaka and other cities before the curfew was declared.

Political analysts say the protests might pose a serious challenge to the interim government, which has imposed strict curbs on political activities and launched a major anti-corruption drive.

The interim government scrapped elections scheduled for January this year and is working to create a climate for free and fair polls by the end of next year.

Police have filed 35 cases accusing about 42,000 unnamed people for Wednesday's violence in Dhaka and will identify them by viewing television footage.

All universities and colleges in the six cities, including the 40,000-student Dhaka University, have been closed indefinitely.

The violence subsided on Thursday, as security forces patrolled the streets and the authorities warned they would take stern action against disorder. The curfew was relaxed for 14 hours until 10 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Friday.

Police the same day detained two teachers from Dhaka University for instigating student unrest and arrested 50 people including 10 university students in Dhaka for breaking the curfew.

Three teachers from Rajshahi university in the country's northwest have also been detained. One bystander was killed and at least 100 students were injured in Rajshahi during clashes with police, witnesses said.

A top student leader has also been arrested and cases filed against 2,500 students, officials have said. (Additional reporting by Serajul Islam Quadir)

AlertNet news is provided by