The BNP-led 20-party alliance will enforce a 48-hour hartal in Dhaka and Khulna divisions from Wednesday morning side by side its ongoing countrywide blockade programme, protesting extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance and arrest of its leaders.
BNP joint secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed announced the fresh programme through a press statement issued on Tuesday.
The hartal is also to press the demand for the release of detained alliance leaders and activists. The programme is to begin at 6:am Wednesday and end at 6:am on Friday.The BNP leader said the 20-party alliance would also observe 36-hour hartal in Kustia and Jenaidah from 6:00am Wednesday.
He called upon the 20-party leaders and activists to peacefully observe the hartal and make it a success.
Rizvi Ahmed alleged that the joint forces in the name of drives across the country are unleashing cruel repression on the leaders and activists of the alliance.
“The joint forces are killing the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal,” he said.
Talking to reporters over phone from an undisclosed location, the BNP joint secretary general said they would enforce the shutdown in all districts of the two divisions, including the capital city of Dhaka and Khulna city.
The BNP leader condemned and protested the killing of Chhatra Dal leader Nuruzzaman Jony and expressed his concern over missing Chhatra Dal leaders Dipu and Moinudidn along with Jony were reportedly taken away by plainclothes people from the jail gate.
He also protested the attacks of law enforcers in association with ruling party elements in different parts of the country during the ongoing blockade programme.
He said the misrule and repression of the government have broken all the previous records.
He demanded announcement of the whereabouts of missing alliance leaders including JCD leaders Dipu Sarker Juba Dal leader Mainuddin.
Meanwhile, the local chapter of the 20-party alliance enforced a 36-hour hartal in Chittagong division from 6am Tuesday protesting the arrest of its leaders and activists.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on January 5 called the countrywide indefinite blockade as the government did not allow her to join a protest rally in the capital.
Khaleda on Monday said the ongoing indefinite blockade programme will continue until the government arrange an inclusive election. – Staff Reporter
