Bahrain's security forces have cracked down on anti-government protests, with at least twenty injured and one killed, reports said.
Al Jazeera reported one person was killed in Shia villages near the capital of Manama, after patrolling security forces in the Manama itself kept planned protests in Shia areas quiet. It said marchers were demanding the release of those detained during earlier protests.
A member of parliament said that at least three other people were in a critical condition after the planned 'day of rage' in the Gulf monarchy.
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Reports said both Shia and Sunni Muslims took part - although commentators had suggested that the more marginalised majority Shia may be more prone to protest.
It's the second reported skirmish with protesters in two days, amid sharply rising tensions in the tiny island kingdom, which is a strategic Western ally and home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, according to AAP.
Social media sites have been flooded with calls by an array of political youth groups, rights activists and others to join demonstrations later today.
