BNP, Jamaat declare now call 48-hour nationwide blockade

Arson attacks targeting transports have stoked public fears during the blockade this week

BNP activists demonstrate by burning tires on a road in the Uttara House Building area of Dhaka on the first day of the nationwide blockade, called by the opposition party and Jamaat, on Tues

The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami will be enforcing another 48-hour-long nationwide blockade starting at 6am Sunday, hot on the heels of similar antigovernment protests for three days rocked by violence.

Arson attacks targeting public transports in several parts of Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka, have stoked fears among the people during the blockade this week.

The programme came after deadly clashes during a rally by the opposition party in Dhaka and a subsequent general strike.

Several senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, have been arrested on charges of inciting violence.

Police have also arrested hundreds of opposition activists over the violence.

With many leaders behind bars, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the fresh programme at a virtual media briefing on Thursday, the final day of this week’s blockade.

The party will also hold a prayer service on Friday for the victims who died during the protest programme, the BNP leader said.

He called upon BNP activists to help succeed the movement to unseat the Awami League government before the election.

Rizvi said the current allies of the BNP, including the Ganatantra Mancha platform, will hold similar antigovernment protests simultaneously.

Sometime after the BNP’s announcement, the Jamaat announced its programme in a press release on Thursday evening.

It will also hold special prayers on Friday for those killed in the protests.