18-Party strike amidst tight security

. Correspondentsbdnews24.com
Published : 28 May 2013, 09:33 PM
Updated : 29 May 2013, 00:39 AM

The nationwide whole-day strike called by the BNP-led 18-Party alliance started at 6am on Wednesday amidst tight security.

Police was seen deployed in some numbers at all key points of Dhaka after bombs were lobbed at Foreign Minister Dipu Moni's residence and two vehicles were set on fire on Tuesday.

Some explosions were reported from the Azimpur area.

Gabtoli, Sayedabad and Mohakhali bus terminals were mostly empty.

Mohammad Bashir of Eagle Paribahan service in Gabtoli, said buses were not departing due to lack of passengers. “Bus services might resume in the evening.”

However, few Savar, Manikganj and Aricha-bound vehicles were leaving from Gabtoli, bdnews24.com Correspondent reported there.

Though long route buses were grounded, inter-city buses were plying normally. But as there were few private cars, traffic was thinner than usual.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) official said some motor launches departed in the morning. “Later schedules will hold.”

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities said flights were normal.

Meanwhile, the BNP Naya Paltan headquarters were seen encircled by police.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Motijheel zone Assistant Deputy Commissioner Mehedi Hassan said they were ready for tough action at the slightest hint of trouble.

"Plaincloth sleuths have been deployed to watch out for trouble-makers," said Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam.

The strike was called after an 18-Party alliance meeting at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Monday night to demand withdrawal of cases against the party’s Senior Vice Chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Junior Home Minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku said the strike was no democratic action but in support of a ‘criminal and corrupt’ Tarique Rahman.

BNP have threatened more strikes if the cases were not withdrawn.

Tarique, lying low for a while, was back in the headlines after campaigning for a caretaker administration for parliament polls during a function in East London on May 20.
He called upon expatriate Bangladeshis to mount pressure on the government on the issue and that attracted severe criticism from the Awami League.
On Sunday, a Dhaka court issued a warrant of arrest against Tarique Rahman on a money laundering case and said the Interpol will be asked to execute it to bring the BNP leader back for trial from London, where he currently resides.
BNP rubbished the court order as 'politically motivated'.