Bangladeshi opposition parties start 48-hour nationwide blockade over general election

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The opposition parties in Bangladesh on Wednesday started a 48-hour nationwide blockade, demanding the upcoming national election on Jan. 7 under a neutral caretaker government system that was abolished by the parliament in 2011.

The opposition parties took to the streets in the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country on the 1st day of their fresh protest, demanding the cancellation of the election scheduled and an interim setup.

At least four buses have been set on fire since Tuesday, said the fire services department.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and allies have refused to participate in the upcoming election while the date for submitting nomination papers has also ended.

The ruling party and allies, however, are in the election race and assured that elections will be free and fair.

At least 21 opposition men, a journalist, and a policeman were killed, and over 22,400 BNP men have been arrested since the Oct. 28 political turmoil. Over 611 leaders and activists of the BNP were sentenced to different jail terms and cases were filed against over 82,400 party workers mostly after Oct. 28, claimed BNP.