12th blockade called by BNP, like-minded parties underway

Another road-rail-waterways blockade, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties, is underway across the country.

The daylong blockade is meant to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC).

It is the 12th such blockade programme called by the opposition parties since October 31, and the first since the announcement of BNP’s non-cooperation movement against the government on December 20.

The blockade began at 6am and will end at 6pm Sunday.

The presence of public transport and commuters on Dhaka streets seemed normal, despite tension and fear of arson attacks.

Law enforcers were seen patrolling the streets and remained deployed at several important points of Dhaka.

Vehicles of newspapers, ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders and medicines remain out of the purview of the blockade.

Meanwhile, unidentified arsonists set fire to three buses in Dhaka's Gulistan, Mirpur and Kalabagan areas on Saturday night, on the eve of the blockade.