Businessmen plan demonstration against political unrest

Businessmen have decided to protest against the current political unrest by standing beside roads linking the country’s north and south, carrying national flag and singing the national anthem.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed informed the press about the planned demonstration after an urgent meeting of the apex trade body on Sunday.

The demonstration date would be fixed in another meeting with former federation chiefs in the afternoon, he added.

"We don't want the present destructive programme," Akram said.

"We will stand with 30 million businessmen of Bangladesh demanding an end to political unrest," he said.

The business leader also said they would meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to request them to save the country and its economy from violence.

"If they do not meet us, we will do whatever is needed to stop the ongoing programme," he added.

At least 40 people have been killed and hundreds injured in arson attacks targeting vehicles during a nationwide transport blockade called by the BNP on Jan 5.

A top business body put losses inflicted by the BNP's blockade in the first 16 days at a staggering Tk 365 billion.

Three organisations of the readymade garment sector - BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA - have recently submitted memoranda to Hasina and Khaleda, urging them to take steps to restore normalcy.