CPB, BSD call hartal for December 18

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesh Shamajtantrik Dal (BSD) yesterday called countrywide daylong hartal for December 18 demanding a ban on communal politics including that of Jamaat-e-Islami and ensuring quick trial of the alleged war criminals.
The two left-leaning parties declared the hartal from a joint press conference at the CPB central office at Paltan in the capital.
CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim and BSD Convener Khalekuzzaman spoke at the event.
Their other demands are: arresting and punishing those responsible for the November 24 fire at Tazreen Fashions; ensuring security at workplaces including garments as per law; securing proper wage for workers and right to conduct trade unions; and reducing the prices of electricity, transport cost, house rent and daily necessities, and cancelling the decision to raise fuel price upon IMF prescription.
Selim said the anti-liberation Jamaat-e-Islami observed a countrywide hartal on December 4 demanding release of its top leaders now facing trial for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity, and this time, the pro-liberation forces would observe hartal for their immediate trial.
He urged all pro-liberation parties and the people to make the shutdown a success.