Another strike hits Bangla

DHAKA, FEBRUARY 15: Thousands of extra police and paramilitary soldiers on Tuesday patrolled Dhaka as the Opposition launched another stri...

DHAKA, FEBRUARY 15: Thousands of extra police and paramilitary soldiers on Tuesday patrolled Dhaka as the Opposition launched another strike to try to bring down the Government.

The national strike, the latest bid to topple Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is scheduled to last for three days and transport officials said it is expected to block highways. However, trains and flights may operate normally.

In the violent run-up to the strike on Sunday and Monday angry activists flipped cars and trucks over, smashed the windscreens of at least 50 vehicles and set two on fire, police and witnesses said.

Police said a 25-year-old pro-government student was shot dead at his home in Chittagong on Monday, by suspected activists from the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

The latest strike was called by Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia, head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP, and her allies in a four-party Opposition alliance.

Begum Khaleda has led a campaign of 55 major strikes aimed at toppling the Government since Hasina8217;s Awami League won the election in June 1996 against the BNP.

Analysts say the strikes have seriously damaged the impoverished nation8217;s fragile economy and driven away investors.

Story continues below this ad

The last Opposition-led strike on February 2-3 also paralysed much of Bangladesh.

Many senior officials stayed in their offices overnight or moved in before Tuesday8217;s strike began at 6 am. 0000 GMT.

Begum Khaleda turned down Sheikh Hasina8217;s recent offer to try to resolve their differences, saying she wants Hasina8217;s resignation first.

Begum Khaleda routinely accuses Hasina8217;s Government of arresting Opposition leaders and activists quot;on political groundsquot; and subjecting them to quot;punishment and harassment normally meted out to criminalsquot;.

Story continues below this ad

Opposition leaders were further angered by a public safety law which was passed by parliament without the participation of Opposition lawmakers, who have boycotted proceedings since mid-1999.

Under the law, jail terms of up to 14 years hard labour can be handed down for crimes that include obstructing transport and damaging property 8212; activity common during strikes.

Begum Khaleda reacted angrily when President Shahabuddin gave his assent to the law on Monday in defiance of the Opposition8217;s request to subject it to further scrutiny.

quot;By giving his assent8230;the President has lost his neutrality and done an injustice to the people,quot; she told reporters.