BIA plea to withdraw hartal

Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) Chairman Sheikh Kabir Hossain has urged Islami Oikkya Jote (IOJ) to call off its planned nation-wide hartal today (Monday). "BIA thinks that the hartal would have an adverse impact on the national economy affecting the public life. The insurance companies are also affected by hartal since they are required to pay claims arising out of the restriction on movement," a statement said. BIA believes that all issues should be resolved through discussion with the government, the statement added. - FE Report