More hartal likely from Sunday
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has threatened to go for a “tougher” programme from Sunday if the government failed to meet by then its demands, including the release of all its leaders and activists.
The warning came through a press release yesterday afternoon, some 14 hours before the latest spell of shutdown ends this morning.
The press release did not elaborate on the “tougher programme and an all-out hartal,” but a BNP leader close to party chief Khaleda Zia said they were planning to call a nonstop shutdown, save for Fridays and Saturdays.
“If the government does not sit with the BNP for talks, we will enforce hartal on all working days, followed by a noncooperation movement,” the leader said, preferring to remain unnamed.
Tomorrow, the alliance will hold demonstrations in all upazila, district and city headquarters and municipalities, protesting the “killings and arrests” of its leaders and activists and demanding a fresh election under a nonparty administration.
It also demands that the government ensure people's right to vote and other basic and human rights, restore democracy and release all political prisoners.
The BNP and its allies have been enforcing a nonstop blockade since January 6, calling on the government to step down and demanding a fresh election.
On top of the blockade, they have been enforcing hartals since February 1, excluding Fridays and Saturdays.
At least 69 people have been killed -- 44 in arson attacks alone -- since the blockade began.
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