Bangladesh transport blockade to continue: Opposition

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said its nationwide transport blockade will continue to "reclaim democracy and end misrule" in the country, a media report said Thursday.

In a statement issued Wednesday night, BNP joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed claimed the government was spreading "propaganda" by saying that the indefinite blockade of highways, railways and waterways has been suspended, bdnews24 reported.

He urged the people to not be confused and called forth the party leaders and activists to carry on with the programme.

A political stand-off culminated in the country when both the ruling Awami League and the BNP-led opposition alliance called for rallies in Dhaka Jan 5 on the first anniversary of the controversial general election. The BNP had boycotted the polls.

The BNP led by former prime minister Khaldea Zia wanted to observe Jan 5 as "Democracy Killing Day" and hold a grand rally in Dhaka, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League planned to celebrate it as "Victory Day for Democracy".

On Jan 5, four people were killed during political violence. Two more were killed Wednesday in Noakhali area when blockade supporters clashed with police.

Ahmed, in his statement, said Zia has asked the BNP-led 20-party coalition supporters to continue their blockade until further notice with the goal to "reclaim democracy and end the misrule".

Meanwhile, Zia is still under house arrest in her Dhaka office since Saturday night. Police have surrounded her office and stopped her from leaving the premises.

Police cordoned off Zia's office as soon as the BNP-led alliance announced that it would hold the Jan 5 rally despite police not permitting it to do so.