Troops patrol streets in capital, blockade cripples life

Dhaka, Jan 7: Troops patrolled empty streets in Dhaka as thepolice maintained tight security amidst the non-stop 72-hour transportblockade called for today by the major opposition alliance to resistwhat they called an "election of blueprint" set for January 22.

The opposition alliance led by Awami League president SheikhHasina, has announced it, will boycott the parliamentary polls,accusing the interim caretaker government and the election commissionof conspiring to reinstall the four-party alliance of former PrimeMinister Khaleda Zia in power by ''stage-managed polls.'' SheikhHasina's alliance is pressing for free and credible election under aflawless electoral roll and resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmedfrom the office of the chief advisor of the caretaker government.

President Ahmed, in a statement last night asserted the electionmust be held on January 22 and asked the people to cast their votes toelect a new parliament and government. The caretaker administrationasked the law enforcers including army and paramilitary BangladeshRifles (BDR) to show zero tolerance to the troublemakers. The eliteRapid Action Battalion members have also fanned out across the countryto try to foil the blockade.

Police had, last night, banned rallies and blockades in order tomaintain order during the polls, adding that offenders would be dealtwith strictly. However, the alliance led by former prime ministerSheikh Hasina, head of the Awami League, went ahead with the transportstrike.

Witnesses said normal life and businesses in Dhaka and other majorcities virtually came to a standstill due to the blockade enforced from6am. Bangladesh capital was cut off from the rest of the country by theblockade. Long distance bus services remained suspended while traincommunications was disrupted at many places.

Apart from army and BDR, the authorities deployed around 12,000riot police to maintain order during the opposition agitation. Theauthorities also imposed ban on political demonstrations in Dhaka foran indefinite period. No major untoward incident happened in first fewhours.

The Jatiya Party of former army ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad andthe Liberal Democratic Party led by former president A Q M BadruddozaChowdhury have also decided to boycott the election.

UNI

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