Anti-government strike hits Bangladesh cities, towns (AP) Updated: 2006-02-15 14:03
Shops and schools across Bangladesh shut their doors Wednesday to avoid
trouble during an opposition-sponsored general strike to protest price hikes and
urge the government's resignation.
The nationwide dawn-to-dusk strike also disrupted public transportation in
the capital Dhaka and more than 60 other cities and towns, police and news
reports said.
An activist carries
a placard during an opposition march in Dhaka, on the eve of a nationwide
strike to press for the resignation of the government and early elections,
February 14, 2006. [AP] |
The shutdown was sponsored by the main opposition Awami League and 13 small
allied parties. Such strikes get little public support, but most schools and
shops close anyway, fearing intimidation and violence by strike supporters.
The opposition has launched a campaign of street protests and general strikes
to press for the resignation of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's four-party
coalition government accusing it of corruption, incompetence and
authoritarianism.
The opposition has asked the government to cut the prices of fuel which were
recently hiked by up to 15 percent.
The government has vowed to remain in power until its five-year term ends in
October this year.
Stores and schools closed in Dhaka, the capital city of 10 million people.
Streets were devoid of cars and buses, and most commuters depended on
tricycle rickshaws that were allowed by the strikers to operate.
Dozens of opposition activists paraded through central Dhaka shouting "down
with the corrupt government." No violence was reported.
Authorities deployed about 8,000 security forces in capital Dhaka to prevent
any violence.
The strike also disrupted traffic and shut down stores and schools in more
than 60 other cities and towns, private TV station ATN Bangla reported.
General strikes are a common opposition tactic aimed at embarrassing the
government in this South Asian nation.
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