A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow (January 07, 2024), is underway. The hartal began at 6 am today (January 06, 2024) and will end at 6 am on Monday (January 08, 2024). A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election. The number of vehicles on the street are fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets. Four people were killed as arsonists burnt four coaches of the Benapole Express train in Dhaka last night. Read: Govt to face crushing defeat on Jan 7: Moyeen Khan  BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday. He said their programme is meant to drum up public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election. BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration. Read: BNP to hold processions, conduct mass contacts Friday to protest Jan-7 polls Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers. However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29. The opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.

The daylong hartal, called by BNP to protest the schedule for the next national election, is underway in a lax manner. BNP called the hartal on the last date for submitting nomination papers to contest the 12th parliamentary polls. The hartal started at 6 am and will end at 6 pm today (November 30, 2023). Two covered vans were set on fire by miscreants in Gazipur. BNP to enforce daylong hartal Thursday Despite fear of arson attacks, a number of vehicles including public transport were seen plying the city streets. Additional police were seen performing their duties at all key points of Dhaka. The opposition parties’ shutdown is meant to register their protest against the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC), and to mount pressure on the government to quit, hold the next election under a non-party neutral government and release the opposition leaders and activists, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. BNP to enforce blockade Wednesday, hartal Thursday The 24-hour blockade called by the opposition parties on Wednesday was marked by stray incidents of arson attacks on vehicles. The opposition parties have so far observed blockades in eight phases.

Eminent economist Dr Ahsan H. Mansur has said that political instability or uncertainty always affects the economy adversely. Dr Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), a Dhaka-based think tank,  was talking to UNB on the ongoing political situation centred on the 12th national election and the opposition's hartal-blockade programs. “Bangladesh's macroeconomy is facing challenges not seen in the last 25/30 years, so tackling the grave situation politically is very important,” he said. The political unrest alongside the macroeconomic instability is a double blow for the domestic economy, so the current domestic situation is different from any other election period in the history of Bangladesh, Dr Mansur pointed out. Read: Blockades are bad for economy, scare foreign investors: FBCCI President He said, “If the national election is not credible to the international and domestic people, the concern will grow over what steps and reaction come from western countries, which is the export destination of most Bangladeshi products.” Meanwhile, the foreign countries have expressed concern over a decent working environment for labour, security of labour organisations' leaders, and desired wages in the export-oriented garment industries, he said. Bangladesh's human rights record was reviewed for the fourth time under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), an important UN human rights mechanism. Bangladesh's human rights record is under the scrutiny of the UN, EU, and USA, in this case, the steps for a political resolution and securing labour rights are very crucial, he opined. Regarding releasing the second instalment of the IMF’s USD $4.70 billion loan, Dr. Mansur, who is also a former senior economist of the IMF, said that there is no reason to delay the second instalment of the loan as Bangladesh met most of the conditions set by the global lender. Read: Economy bears brunt of ongoing blockades and hartals ahead of polls: Dr Atiur Rahman He said double-digit inflation has been prevailing in Bangladesh for a long time, while the South Asian countries including Sri Lank had succeeded in controlling inflation. In this area, Bangladesh has to do more to reduce the inflation rate to 4-5 percent.    He focused on a market-based foreign exchange rate to make the exchange rate sustainable instead of being controlled by the Bangladesh Bank or Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers Association (BAFEDA). Dr. Masur suggested policy reform and effective measures to stop money laundering or capital flight for a sustainable domestic foreign exchange market, in that the central banks have to apply their regulatory authority without bias or influence. “Despite a huge workforce and advantage of geographical location, Bangladesh cannot attract big volume foreign direct investment (FDI) due to lack of policy reforms and weak regulatory authority. Political unrest will work as another barrier for FDI,” he pointed out. Read: An innovation leap: Nagad Digital Bank aims to extend reach to the unbanked and underbanked Regarding political resolution, he said that there is no alternative to dialogue amongst major political parties, and tolerance of opposition for those who are in strong positions or in power is very important. Dr Mansur said all parties' participation in the upcoming election is the best option for Bangladesh in consideration of the overall current situation, while dialogue and level playing field for political parties are important issues. He thinks that the situation is not normal, as what is happening in Bangladesh is being keenly watched around the world, so the authorities must proceed with reason. 

At least sixteen arson attacks were recorded till 9 am on Monday morning during the 48-hour hartal called by BNP, Jammat and some like-minded parties. 14 BNP leaders, activists detained in Chattogram A total of 16 vehicles were set on fire by miscreants during this time and three of those  were set on fire inside Dhaka city, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell. Day 2 of hartal underway with regular traffic on Dhaka streets Meanwhile, four arson attacks were reported in Dhaka division including Dhaka city, seven in Rajshahi, four in Chattogram, and one in Mymensingh division. Nine buses, six trucks, one covered van, One CNG-run autorickshaw and three carriages of a train were burnt during this period. CPB decides not join election under incumbent govt A total of 144 members of 29 firefighting units worked to douse the fires across the country during this period, added the fire officer.

The second day of the countrywide 48-hour hartal, called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties, protesting the general election schedule, is underway. This is the first hartal being observed by the opposition parties since the Election Commission announced the polls schedule. The ongoing hartal will end at 6 am tomorrow (November 21, 2023). The presence of public transport on Dhaka roads seems usual this morning despite heightened tension and fear of violence. Read: First day of hartal ends amid sporadic incidents of violence, arson BNP, Jamaat and likeminded opposition parties called the hartal after they had earlier observed five countrywide blockades of roads, rail and waterways. The blockades were marked by frequent burning of vehicles, particularly buses, in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. The presence of law enforcement personnel at several points in Dhaka is higher this morning compared to the blockades. The first day of the hartal, yesterday, was marked by sporadic incidents of arson attacks and clashes. According to reports, ten people were injured in a clash between police and BNP in Sunamganj while a primary school and a number of vehicles including a train were torched yesterday across the country. Read: BNP, allies hold rallies to mark hartal in different parts of capital A total of 235 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and 460 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)  were deployed in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country to maintain law and order during the hartal. Earlier on Saturday, BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called upon people from all walks of life and opposition leaders and activists to observe the hartal peacefully and make it a success.

The first day of the 48-hour hartal, enforced by the BNP and some like-minded parties and alliances, passed off on Sunday amid sporadic incidents of arson and clashes. The shutdown began at 6am on Sunday and will end at 6am on Tuesday. According to the reports reached at UNB news desk ten people were injured in a clash between police and BNP in Sunamganj while a primary school and a number of vehicles including a train were torched during the shutdown across the country. In the capital, miscreants set a CNG-run auto rickshaw on fire after hurling a crude bomb in front of ‘One Star Hotel’ on Kazi Alauddin Road in Old Dhaka around 8:30 am, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (media cell). In Sunamganj, at least 10 people including policemen and journalists were injured in a clash between BNP activists and law enforcers during picketing. Locals said that BNP activists brought out a procession in favour of the hartal in Puratan Bus Stand area around 11 am and vandalised some vehicles, causing panic on the streets. In Gazipur, miscreants set fire to a tin-shed room of Gilashawar Late A. Jabbar Government Primary School under Bormi union in Sreepur upazila early today, police said. 'Entire world recognises smear campaign against BNP as front for one-sided election': Rizvi In Sylhet, Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal leaders and activists took out processions in support of the hartal at multiple points of the city, including the airport, Tuker Bazar, and Medical Road area, in the early hours of Sunday. A truck was vandalised during the shutdown at airport road in Khasdabir area. BNP leaders and activists took out a procession in support of the hartal at Shahi Eidgah area of the city around 1:30pm. Witnesses said several crude bombs were exploded in the area. In Narayanganj, police arrested Mohammad Shaheb Hawladar, president of Narayanganj College unit Chhatra Dal along with a bottle of petrol and 20 tyres from Boubazar Canalpara in Siddhirganj on Saturday night, said Golam Mostafa, officer-in-charge of Siddhirganj Police Station. In Feni, miscreants set a goods-laden covered van on fire at Lalpole Latu Mia road on Dhaka-Chattogram highway early Sunday, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station. In Natore, miscreants torched a stationary truck after pouring petrol on the Natore-Bogura highway at Bhabaniganj in Natore district town early Sunday. In Chattogram, police arrested ten BNP men when they brought out a procession in support of hartals from different parts of the district. BNP, allies hold rallies to mark hartal in different parts of capital The presence of law enforcement personnel at several points in Dhaka is higher today compared to the previous blockades. Number of public transport on Dhaka streets was fewer than that during the blockades. Rickshaws are dominating Dhaka streets while a few private vehicles are on the road. Unidentified arsonists set seven vehicles on fire, including a passenger train, in Dhaka and across the country between 7 pm last night and 6 am today, ahead of the 48-hour countrywide hartal. Three buses were torched in the capital’s Gulistan, Dhanmondi and Mirpur areas last night. One bus each in Cumilla and Chattogram and a pickup van in Joypurhat were also set on fire ahead of the hartal. Arsonists set three compartments of the ‘Jamuna Express’ train on fire in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur district early today. Miscreants exploded three crude bombs in front of the residence of Dhaka University vice chancellor last night, spreading panic among students. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room, eleven arson attacks were recorded in the past 15 hours, from 6 pm Saturday till 9 am on Sunday. Of these, five were set on fire inside Dhaka city while three in Rajshahi division, two in Chattogram, and one in Mymensingh, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (media cell). A total of 235 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the 48-hour countrywide hartal across the country, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) at BGB headquarters. AL to take country’s development to new height: FM Meanwhile, a total of 460 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country to maintain law and order during the shutdown. This is the first hartal being observed by the opposition parties since the EC announced the polls schedule. BNP, Jamaat and other opposition parties called the hartal after they had earlier observed five spells of countrywide blockades of roads, rail and waterways. The blockades were marked by frequent burning of vehicles, particularly buses, in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. At a press briefing yesterday, BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called upon people from all walks of life and opposition leaders and activists to observe the hartal peacefully and make it a success.

The BNP and some like-minded parties and alliances, staged demonstrations and rallies in different areas of the capital on Sunday, in support of their ongoing 48-hour hartal in protest against the schedule for the next national election. The opposition parties urged the Election Commission (EC) to immediately cancel the schedule for holding a credible and inclusive election. The leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies brought out sudden processions in different areas, including Tejgaon, Fakirapool,Jhigatola, Badda, Malibagh, Gulshan, Banani, Green Road, Dhanmondai, Ramna, Mothijheel during the first day of the 48-hour hartal. AL to take country’s development to new height: FM As in the previous days since October 29, BNP’s Nayapaltan central office remained locked on Sunday amid the presence of law enforcers on roads on both sides in front of the BNP central office. Ganatantra Mancha, Jatiyatabadi Somomana Jote, Gono Odhikar Parishad, 12-party alliance LDP, Labour Party, Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, Gonoforum-NPP and Left Democratic Alliance also staged demonstrations and rallies in Bijoynagar, Purana Paltan, Nightingale crossing, Jatiya Press Club and Motijheel areas. From these processions and rallies, the opposition leaders and activists chanted various slogans against the Election Commission and the government for their ‘attempt’ to hold a lopsided election. BNP and other opposition parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, enforced the shutdown at 6am across the country. Jatiya Party is ready for national election: Raushan This is the first hartal being observed by the opposition parties since the EC announced to hold the 12-parliamentary polls on January 7. On November 15, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7. Ganatantra Mancha brought out a procession at Bijoynagar around 12:30pm that ended in front of the Jatiya Press Club through a brief rally. Speaking at the rally, the alliance leaders alleged that the Awami League government wants to hold another 'farcical' election like in 2014 and 2018, leaving the country and its people in danger. Chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Junaid Saki said most of the country’s opposition parties are now united to resist a one-sided election under the current government. Polls will be held timely, won't be deferred: FM He said Awami League wants to score in an empty field without any opponent. “If another lopsided election is held, the country will not only face an economic crisis but also a terrible diplomatic crisis in the international arena," he added. Saki said the government is putting the country's people in danger just to hang onto power by any means. He said the Jatiya Party, an alliance partner of Awami League, is also saying no fair election is possible under the current regime. "Shame on Awami League as it is canvassing for vote rigging as election. We the people will not allow the future of Bangladesh to be destroyed like this. That's why we’ll continue this movement and we will turn victorious,” Saki observed. Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party urged the government to create a democratic environment by suspending the election schedule, releasing all opposition leaders and workers unconditionally and withdrawing thousands of cases filed against them. “All people rejected the election schedule. Even then, the leaders of the ruling party are making false statements resorting to deception. Even the devil gets ashamed of hearing their (AL leaders') deceitful statements,” he said.

A 48-hour hartal — called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties — protesting the general election schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) is underway from this morning (November 19, 2023) amid fear of violence. This is the first hartal being observed by the opposition parties since the EC announced the polls schedule. BNP, Jamaat and other opposition parties called the hartal after they had earlier observed five countrywide blockades of roads, rail and waterways. The blockades were marked by frequent burning of vehicles, particularly buses, in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. The presence of law enforcement personnel at several points in Dhaka is higher today compared to the previous blockades. Read more: 'Scrap polls schedule, create atmosphere for fair election first': BNP Number of public transport on Dhaka streets was fewer than that during the blockades. Many were seen heading towards their destinations on foot amid heightened tension and fear of violence. Rickshaws are dominating Dhaka streets while a few private vehicles are on the road. Unidentified arsonists set seven vehicles on fire, including a passenger train, in Dhaka and across the country between 7 pm last night and 6 am today, ahead of the 48-hour countrywide hartal. Three buses were torched in the capital’s Gulistan, Dhanmondi and Mirpur areas last night. Read more: Jatiya Party to decide on joining or boycotting polls within a couple of days:Chunnu One bus each in Cumilla and Chattogram and a pickup van in Joypurhat were also set on fire ahead of the hartal. Arsonists set three compartments of ‘Jamuna Express’ train on fire in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur early today. Miscreants exploded three crude bombs in front of the residence of Dhaka University vice chancellor last night, spreading panic among students. At a press briefing yesterday, BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called upon people from all walks of life and opposition leaders and activists to observe the hartal peacefully and make it a success. Read more: 12th JS election: Shakib buys AL nomination forms for 3 different constituencies

Though most of the party’s central leaders have apparently gone into hiding amid a crackdown following the October 28 violence, BNP leaders may take to the streets again after the announcement of the schedule for the next polls to intensify the ongoing movement. Talking to UNB, some senior BNP leaders said they have already prepared a strategy to carry out a non-stop movement with harsher programmes like hartal, blockade and laying siege to the Election Commission and different government offices to halt any lopsided election. They said their party also took the opinions of the like-mined parties about what to do if the election schedule is announced and most parties suggested enforcing blockade or hartal without any pause. As per their strategy, the BNP leaders said soon after the announcement of the schedule for the next election, the opposition parties will first give a 48-hour ultimatum to the Election Commission (EC) to cancel the schedule and create a proper atmosphere for a participatory election under a neutral administration. Read more: Fire Service records 9 arson attacks in the country in 10 hrs If the EC pays heed to their ultimatum, they will then try to show their strength on the streets across the country with their action programmes. According to Article 126 of the Constitution, it shall be the duty of all executive authorities to assist the Election Commission to discharge its duties. The BNP leaders said they would closely observe how the EC exerts the powers enshrined by the constitution to take control over the state apparatus, including the law enforcement agencies. They said they would also observe the role of the EC in stopping the mass arrest of opposition leaders and activists and releasing the arrested party senior leaders and workers. BNP claimed over 10,770 opposition leaders and followers were arrested centring BNP’s Oct 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockade programmes. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, vice-chairman Barrister Shahjahan Oma, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, chairperson’s adviser Amanullah Aman, and joint secretaries general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Kahirul Kabir Khokon were arrested following the party’s grand rally and violence. Read more: Chinese envoy’s remark on polls doesn’t reflect people’s aspirations: BNP Among the 19 members of the BNP standing committee, Jamiruddin Sircar, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Begum Selima Rahman now remained active in politics. However, they are now staying in safer places secretly to avoid arrest. Three standing committee members including Salahuddin Ahmed and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku have been staying abroad. The other party policymakers either died or remained inactive due to physical illness. The other active members of the BNP executive committee, including the vice chairmen, joint secretaries general and organising secretaries are also on the run and guiding the party leaders and workers from hideouts. A party standing committee member, wishing anonymity, said they will come out of their secret places once the polls schedule is announced to boost the morale of party workers to strengthen the movement. He said they have a plan to isolate Dhaka from the rest of the country by making the blockade programme more effective through increasing picketing on highways and roads at the district level. “Our party won’t participate in the parliamentary election under the current government. So, after the announcement of the schedule, our all leaders will come out on the streets and join the movement,” the BNP leader said.  “After the announcement of the polls schedule, all the state machinery, including the law enforcers, will be under the control of the commission. So, the Election Commission’s role will be more questionable, if the arrest of BNP leaders and workers continues even after the polls schedule announcement. Besides, questions will be raised in the country and abroad about the sincerity of the Election Commission in conducting fair, free and impartial elections,” he said. BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said the government may think BNP will be weakened if the election schedule is announced. “But it won’t happen. We have seen examples of cancellations of elections after the announcement of the schedule. “BNP will deal with all situations staying on the streets. People won’t this time allow the government to stage a drama in the name of election.” Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said BNP's movement for the restoration of democracy and voting rights will not fail this time. “If the schedule is announced, we will have no choice but to continue the movement. We’ll force the government to meet our demands through a fierce mass movement.” BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said their party will not retreat from the movement under any circumstance.  "If a one-sided schedule is announced ignoring the opinion of the opposition parties, it will prove that the government and the Election Commission are not serious about a fair and acceptable election," he said. Read more: 152 BGB platoons deployed across the country amid BNP-Jamaat's latest blockade

Those who were involved in violence and arson attacks across Bangladesh prior to and during the hartal and blockade enforced by BNP-Jamaat will be arrested after investigating each incident, and legal action will be taken, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said on Wednesday (November 01, 2023). Claiming that a quarter with vested interests is involved in attempts to destabilise the country, the police chief said, “If anyone enforces any programme, people have the right to observe it. But people should also be able to commute on the road freely; it’s their right. So, we are going to take measures to ensure that people can move about freely,” he said. The IGP came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting policemen injured during the BNP-police clashes on October 28, at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Bangladesh sets bright example of communal harmony: IGP He also said that there was no lack of security measures during BNP's October 28 rally. “We were able to bring the situation under control. Without any provocation, picketers set a bus on fire and carried out attack on another bus. They intentionally attacked people,” he said. Police Constable Amirul Islam was killed in a brutal attack, allegedly by BNP activists, while on duty during the deadly violence at Naya Paltan and nearby areas on October 28. Besides, 41 policemen were injured in clashes between law enforcers and BNP-Jamaat men in Dhaka’s Motijheel, Kakrail and Naya Paltan areas on that day. Won't allow any attempt at sabotage or to stoke violence from BNP’s Oct 28 rally: IGP Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Deputy Commissioner (Media) Faruk Hossain said that 22 injured policemen are undergoing treatment at Rajarbagh Police Hospital and 19 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. When asked about the arrest of Mian Zahidul Islam Arefy, who identified himself as an “advisor to US President Joe Biden” and spoke to media at the BNP central office and Lt Gen (Retd) Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy who brought Arefy to the BNP office, the police chief said, “We don't want to disclose anything yet for the sake of investigation.” Detectives arrested Sarwardy from Savar on Tuesday (October 31, 2023). Arefy was detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Sunday. On  Monday, Mian Zahidul Islam Arefy, who claimed to be an “adviser to US President Joe Biden,” at the DB office said that “Lt General (retired) Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi brought me to the BNP party office at 3 pm to discuss their programme. They requested me to deliver a speech.” Read more: Bus set on fire in Dhaka’s Kafrul