Another round of road-rail-waterways blockade, called by Bangladesh Nationalist Party and like-minded opposition parties, is underway across Bangladesh. The 36-hour blockade is meant to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC). This is the 11th blockade called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties since October 31.
The blockade began at 6 am Tuesday and will end at 6 pm on Wednesday. The presence of public transport and commuters on Dhaka streets seemed normal, despite tension and fear of arson attacks.
Meanwhile, arsonists set two buses on fire in Dhaka’s Tikatuli and Mohammadpur areas on Monday night. Law enforcers were seen patrolling the streets and remained deployed at several important points of Dhaka. Vehicles of media outlets, ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders and medicines remain out of the purview of the blockade.
BNP and other like-minded opposition parties are observing blockades to press home their demand for the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next election under a non-partisan administration.n