DHAKA: Opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia eventually kicked off a vigorous anti-government movement by calling a dawn-to-dusk countrywide hartal for June 27.

This is for the first time that the opposition BNP called for countrywide shutdown after the Awami League-led grand alliance came to office in January 2009—cruising over a political vortex that had pushed the country under state of emergency following the 1/11 changeover.

The call for strike came from a much-trumpeted grand rally at historic Paltan ground of the capital that was arranged to protest public sufferings for gas-water-power crises, price spiral of essentials, deterioration of law and order, torture on BNP leaders and activities, and press for cancellation of treaties with India and resignation of the Election Commission.  

The ex-PM also announced a sit-in at the Institution of Engineering, Bangladesh on June 9 to protest 'government’s interference with the judiciary’ and protest rally on June 17 at upazilla, district and divisional headquarters to protest the killing of journalists and shutting down television channels.

BDST 1920 HRS. MAY 19, 2010

MM/HJS/MSI/FA/MUA