BNP calls shutdown in Dhaka, Khulna from Wednesday alongside blockade

The BNP, enforcing an indefinite blockade across Bangladesh, has now called a 48-hour general strike in Dhaka and Khulna divisions from Wednesday.

Party's Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who is in hiding, told bdnews24.com of the latest agitation plans on Tuesday.

He said the shutdown would start at 6am on Wednesday and continue until 6am Friday protesting against 'oppression' of party activists by the joint forces.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia on Jan 5 called a non-stop blockade after police prevented her from leaving her Gulshan office to lead anti-government demonstrations.

On Monday, Khaleda announced that the blockade would continue until the government agreed for a dialogue over a snap election.

Blockade-related violence has killed at least 27 people since then with hundreds of vehicles, including those of the law-enforcing agencies, attacked and damaged.

Khaleda blamed the government for the violence.

Tuesday's shutdown call is likely to ratchet up tension even though Rizvi called for enforcing it "peacefully".

The government has announced rewards for catching anarchists responsible for violence during general strikes and blockades.