Dhaka witnesses slack blockade

Life of the city dwellers have come to a halt as businesses remain shut, shopping malls padlocked and education hampered during the opposition's countrywide blockade programme.

No remarkable violence was reported in the city today, on the second day of the 72-hour long blockade of roads, rail and waterways called by BNP-led 18-party alliance, which started from 6:00am Tuesday.

Around 7:00am today, blockaders exploded two crude bombs in Gabtoli area but none was hurt, said Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Darussalam Police Station.

Uncertainty has been looming large on the fate of poor and day-labourers as they could not came out for work due to several spells of blockades enforced by the opposition, who has enforced 371-hour (15 days) of countrywide blockade since November 26.

Huge contingents of police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were deployed at all the key points of the capital to maintain law and order during the blockade hours.

The presence of vehicles including buses and CNG-run three-wheelers was thin on the usually-clogged thoroughfares of Dhaka.

Most of the private car owners preferred to keep their vehicles in garages, fearing arson attack and vandalism.