Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

DHAKA, Saturday (Reuters) Hundreds of extra police were deployed in Dhaka and paramilitary soldiers were on standby on Saturday as an opposition-led general strike took hold across Bangladesh, widely disrupting business and transport.

The strike was likely to shut the country's ports and two stock exchanges on Saturday, a working day in mostly Muslim Bangladesh. Business leaders estimate it will cost the impoverished country around $62 million a day in lost production and exports.

Witnesses said the roads were mostly empty apart from pedal-driven rickshaws on Saturday morning in Dhaka, a city of more than nine million people, and most shops, except some restaurants, were shuttered. Railway officials said early morning trains carried fewer passengers than usual.

The opposition Awami League called the first full-day strike of the year to protest what it said was government persecution of political rivals and worsening law and order.

The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said the strike was part of an Awami campaign to create disorder, halt business and scare away investors.

On Friday, police used batons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of strike supporters in the capital, detaining several of them. Senior Awami League leader Tofael Ahmed said the police action showed the government's "political bankruptcy."

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager