Zia charged with instigating bomb attacks on protest march

Bangladesh's Opposition leader Khaleda Zia has been charged with instigating bomb attacks on a march by ruling party supporters demanding an end to BNP-sponsored non-stop transport blockade that has crippled the country's economy.
Led by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, the 5,000-strong Awami League supporters yesterday marched to Zia's office in the capital's posh diplomatic enclave during which six to seven handmade bombs were detonated.
At least 11 people were injured in the attack on the protest march towards the Zia's office in Gulshan, where the BNP chief has been staying since January 5 after she was barred from her party's anti-government rally.

Road Transport Owners and Workers' Unity Council Leader Ismail Hossain late last night filed a case against Zia and 13 other BNP leaders for the attack, BD News reported.
Assistant Police Commissioner (Gulshan Zone) Nurul Alam said the case accused Zia and others of the attack, attempt to murder, terrorism and bomb explosions.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance enforced its latest spell of 72-hour countrywide strike on February 15, beside the non-stop nationwide blockade.

Since January 5, when Bangladesh marked the first anniversary of the controversial polls boycotted by BNP and won by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami Leage, the opposition party and its allies have launched strikes one after another to press its demand for a fresh election under a non-party caretaker government system.

The strike and protests by the opposition alliance have also witnessed spates of violence that has until now claimed more than 100 lives.
Reports say more than 50 people were killed in arson attacks on buses and trucks.