Dhaka, June 27 (IANS) The opposition in Bangladesh Sunday observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk strike to protest against the policies of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, chief among them being the five deals signed with India.
Though Hasina has also signed pacts with China, Russia and other countries, her arch rival Begum Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has only opposed the agreements with India that pertain to exchange of criminals and information on militants, and improving bilateral trade.
The other issues relate to the alleged failure to resolve gas, electricity and water crises, alleged tender manipulation and extortion, and politicisation of the administration and judiciary, Star Online reported.
Police Sunday detained 61 people, including senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas and two advisers of Zia.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Walid Hossain told The Daily Star that a total of 61 people have been arrested from different parts of the capital till 11:00 a.m.
Zia, also a former two-term prime minister, toured principal towns last month before giving the strike call, the first political stand-off for the Hasina government since it assumed office in January last year.
The strike was ‘successful’ and the people responded to it ‘spontaneously’, said BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain.
Parties like Jagpa, NAP (Bhasani), Labour Party and the NPP also declared their solidarity with the strike.
Vehicles remained off the streets and educational institutions were closed in view of the strike.
According to BNP sources, ambulances, press vehicles, fire service and other utilities were outside the purview of strike.
