Bangladesh opposition calls for nationwide strike for Monday

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led opposition alliance has called for a countrywide dawn-to-dusk strike for Monday to protest the latest constitutional amendment empowering parliamentarians to impeach apex court judges.

The BNP and its 19 allies have strongly criticised the Bangladesh Awami League government's move to re-empower parliament to impeach the Supreme Court judges, describing it as a conspiracy, Xinhua reported.

Acting Secretary General of the BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Saturday evening announced the strike programme in a press briefing.

The Bangladesh parliament Wednesday unanimously passed the constitutional amendment to regain its power to impeach apex court judges.

The bill was passed late Wednesday night by both voice and division votes when both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Raushon Ershad were present.

Parliament members will be able to impeach any judge for his or her misconduct or incapacity once the bill comes into effect.

The Bangladeshi cabinet last month gave its nod to the proposal to amend the country's constitution to empower parliament members to impeach apex court judges.