Opposition-called blockade supporters yesterday dug up a trench at Goreya on Gaibandha-Palashbari road, severing road communications between Gaibandha and other districts. Photo: Star

Fed up with long blockades that wreaked havoc on people's lives and livelihood for the last one month, people have lately been defying the political programmes despite fear of violence.
A large number of vehicles plied the streets of Dhaka and other major cities yesterday, the second day of 83-hour blockade enforced by the BNP-led 18-party alliance.
Many businesses, offices and roadside shops were seen open in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet cities, report our district correspondents.
As the number of vehicles including minibuses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and private cars, increased on the capital's streets, some areas even saw traffic congestion in the evening.
Train and launch services on all routes remained normal but only a small number of long distance buses left the capital.
However, sporadic incidents of violence were reported from several districts as blockaders clashed with law enforcers and Awami League men, exploded crude bombs and carried out arson and vandalism.
BNP-led opposition alliance enforced blockade and hartal for 20 days in last 26 days, affecting the livelihood of people, especially businessmen and people of low income group. 
Meanwhile, the government yesterday decided to operate Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses in all long distance routes ignoring the risks involved during blockades.
During a meeting at Elenbari in the city, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader directed the BRTC chairman and other officials concerned to start its usual service immediately.
A committee, headed by deputy inspector general of highway police, was formed at the meeting so that law enforcement agencies could ensure security on highways.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, also a transport workers' leader, was present at the meeting. He assured that he would extend full cooperation in the running of BRTC buses.
Emerging from a meeting with transport owners and law enforcement agencies on Wednesday, Shahjahan announced that passenger buses would run on long-distance routes under police protection from Friday.  
But his message drew little attention, as few long distance buses were in service due to lack of police protection, some transport owners said.
Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has called a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Chittagong city for today, protesting arrest of its acting president Bazlur Rahman.
In Dhaka, a mobile court sentenced five Shibir activists to different terms in jail for attacking cops and exploding crude bombs in Shahjahanpur area.
In Joypurhat, at least 10 people were injured in a clash between the 18-party men and AL activists in Panchbibi upazila yesterday, reports our Dinajpur correspondent quoting police.
After the incident, opposition men went on the rampage and damaged several houses including Panchbibi upazila AL office. They hurled petrol bombs at the houses of AL leader Habibur Rahman, also the mayor of Panchbibi municipality.
To avoid further clash, the upazila administration imposed section 144 in the municipality area yesterday. 
In Satkhira, Masum Billah, a Shibir activist, sustained bullet injuries during a clash between Jamaat-Shibir activists and the joint forces at Kaliganj upazila yesterday.
Ali Azam, OC of Kaliganj Police Station, said Jamaat-Shibir activists attacked the joint forces with brick chunks and crude bombs at Garermath while they were returning after arresting Masum.
The activists also clashed with the joint forces at Mahmudpur in Sadar upazila and at that time, “agitating people” vandalised the houses of two opposition leaders in Aliour union, said police.
In Bogra, blockaders torched seven trucks in Shahjahanpur and Sadar upazilas early yesterday, reports our Bogra correspondent.
Meanwhile, law enforcers arrested 114 opposition leaders and activists at Bogra, Natore, Satkhira, Kishoreganj, Rangpur, Moulavibazar, Chittagong, Comilla and Lalmonirhat.