BNP, allies to enforce countrywide strike Monday

The BNP, backed by its partners, will enforce a Bangladesh-wide shutdown on Monday protesting against denial of permission for its Gazipur rally and demanding the release of its leaders, including Goyeshwar Chandra Roy.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 Dec 2014, 12:21 PM
Updated : 27 Dec 2014, 02:33 PM

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the fresh agitation plan on Saturday after a meeting of the alliance's secretaries general in Dhaka.

The alliance, meanwhile, enforced a day-long strike in Gazipur after the local administration embargoed gatherings at party chief Khaleda Zia's proposed rally venue in the town on Saturday.

Ambulances, pharmacies, food shops, vehicles of news media have been kept out of the strike's purview.

The BNP-led alliance boycotted the Jan 5 polls and has since been pressing for a snap election.

Monday's countrywide strike will be their second this year. They enforced a shutdown several months ago protesting against the 16th Constitutional amendment.

Fakhrul blamed the government for thwarting their Saturday's Gazipur rally and ‘implicating’ their leaders in 'false cases'.

He alleged the government was trying to keep Khaleda away from politics by implicating her in false cases.

Fakhrul condemned the cases filed over Dec 24 clashes at Bakshibazar between BNP and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists.

A number of BNP leaders including Goyeshwar have been made accused in them.

Police have arrested the BNP Standing Committee member in the case and a court sent him on a three-day remand.

"The alliance has announced this programme (strike) to protest against such government activities," Fakhrul said.