Jamaat threatens another shutdown

The Jamaat-e-Islami has threatened another spell of general strike in Bangladesh if its other leaders are sentenced to death for war crimes. The party's acting chief Mujibur Rahman made the announcement Saturday at a 20-party rally in Natore.It comes a day ahead of its leader Mir Quasem Ali's verdict scheduled for Sunday. Rahman alleged the government was plotting to eliminate its top brass.
"Prof Ghulam Azam has been tortured to death in prison. They are conspiring to eliminate our chief Motiur Rahman Nizami by unfairly handing him maximum penalty,” he said, according to a news agency.
“We are enforcing shutdowns to protest this and will continue to do so. The general strike will continue until Thursday if there's another such verdict," he added.
The party, accused of committing war crimes during the war, called for a three-day strike – Thursday, Sunday and Monday – protesting the conviction. Tuesday is a public holiday.
He urged everyone to get ready for an anti-government stir under Khaleda's leadership.