Bangladesh, Sept. 7 -- President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir returned to his home district on Sunday for the first time since assuming office, using the visit to press political leaders across the spectrum to abandon confrontation and instead pursue what he called a "politics of reconciliation."

Speaking at a civic reception in his honor at Thakurgaon Government Boys' High School, the president told a crowd of local officials, civil society figures and cultural performers that Bangladesh's fragile democratic gains could not survive further political violence.

"We do not want any conflict or confrontation in Thakurgaon," he said, urging parties to resolve differences "through dialogue and discussion" rather than street clashes.

The eve...