The Dhaka Times Desk The 18 party alliance led by BNP has rejected the election schedule announced by the Election Commission. It called for a 48-hour nationwide blockade on Tuesday and Wednesday. 1 Chhatra Dal worker and 1 rickshaw driver in Badda were killed in a bomb blast in Comilla yesterday.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Brigadier General (retd) ASM Hannan Shah has been arrested by Metropolitan Intelligence Police. He was detained from the Japanese Embassy in Gulshan area of the capital yesterday at around 9:30 pm.
Widespread violence was reported across the country on the first day of the blockade called by the opposition. There are very few buses running in the capital. People go to office on foot or in rickshaw tempo. No long distance bus left. However, several trains were seen running.
As soon as the election schedule was announced yesterday, protests and vandalism took place in various parts of the country. 1 Chhatra Dal worker was killed in a bomb blast in Comilla. A rickshaw driver died in a rush after the bomb blast in Badda.
Meanwhile, widespread violence has been reported in other parts of the country during the strike. The movement of trains has stopped due to breaking the Kasba rail signal in Braxmanbaria. Due to which train movement has been stopped on Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Sylhet routes since morning.
5 coaches including engine of Haor Express derailed due to uprooting of line in Jhenaikandi area of Gouripur, Mymensingh. No casualties were reported. Train movement between Netrakona and Mymensingh has been stopped.
The train was seized by the blockade supporters in Ishwardi. 3 compartments of the Sirajganj Express train running on the Ishwardi-Sirajganj-Dhaka route were set on fire in Ishwardi yesterday at around 1 am. No bus is plying in Ishwardi due to the main road being blocked. On the other hand, bus traffic is stopped due to road blockade in Kushtia.
On the other hand, there have been incidents of protest marches and vandalized fire connections in various areas including Bogra, Rajshahi, Natore, Jaipurhat, Rangpur, Dinajpur.
It should be noted that the Chief Election Commissioner announced the schedule yesterday in view of the next 10th National Parliament Election. BNP-led 18-party alliance rejected the election and announced the 48-hour program demanding postponement of the schedule.
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