BNP leader Rizvi said on Wednesday that despite facing risks to their lives, members of his party and other allied groups were actively participating in nationwide-blockade initiative and hartal programmes.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary-general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), during a virtual press briefing, said "Leaders and activists from our party, along with those from other parties, are peacefully engaged in a countrywide blockade Wednesday to address the legitimate demands of the people."
He stated that opposition leaders and activists are undeterred by the government's threats and ongoing arrests.
He called on the citizens of the country to participate in a general strike (hartal) from dawn to dusk today (Thursday) and ensure its success.
Rizvi urged widespread participation to support their demands such as the cancellation of the election schedule, the establishment of an election conducted under a caretaker government, and the release of detained BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, as well as party members.
During the press briefing, Rizvi also reported a recent surge in the arrest of 365 party leaders and activists within the past 24 hours, with a staggering 1,530 BNP leaders implicated in 14 cases.
Furthermore, he claimed that a total of 5,695 BNP leaders and activists had been detained since the announcement of the 12th national election schedule.
Despite the blockade, normal vehicular movements were observed on the roads in the capital, with a significant number of long-route buses operating from various terminals such as Sayedabad, Mohakhali, and Gabtoli on Wednesday.
However, exemptions were granted to ambulances, vehicles transporting oxygen, and those carrying emergency medicines from the effects of the blockade and the hartal (general strike).
Previously, the BNP and allied parties initiated a 48-hour countrywide shutdown from November 19, followed by a 48-hour blockade starting November 22.
This series of blockades, totaling eight phases, aims to exert pressure on the ruling Awami League government to resign and conduct the upcoming election under a non-partisan administration.
Law enforcement agencies, including the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), maintained a vigilant presence at various city intersections and important locations to prevent any untoward incidents of violence during the protests.
The BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and allied parties continue their movement to press for demands, including the annulment of the election schedule, immediate government resignation, and the conduct of parliamentary polls under a neutral caretaker administration.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com