Bangladesh is facing series of transport and business strikes across the country since October. The Thursday strike was the latest in a series that is demanding the electoral reforms expected in the country.
During Thursday strike, the riot police have chased violent protestors in Dhaka. The streets were crowded and the people were protesting against the delaying the electoral reforms decisions.
A 14-party alliance had called the strike that was led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They were demanding from the interim government to immediate implement reforms before the general election expected next month.
The general election is expected on January 22. Sheikh Hasina has asked for more time as voters list, voter identity cards process have not completed. They were demanding enough time for campaigning by parties and candidates.
They demanded the resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed, chief of the caretaker government. He is in charge of the coming election and showed his inability to act independently.
Hasina told European Union officials that
an agreeable atmosphere for a free and fair election does not exist in the country now. The country is not prepared for the general elections.
On the other hand, Khaleda Zia said that
Hasina is plotting to push the country into a constitutional crisis, destroy democracy and ruin the economy.
Khaleda completed her five-year term as prime minister in last October and given power to the interim authority. She has insisted that the elections should be held on January 22 only.
During the several protests since last October, at least 45 people have been killed and hundreds have been injured in clashes between different political groups.
On the other hand, President Iajuddin Ahmed’s interim government strengthened security vigil by deploying about 10,000 extra police, paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles and army troops during the strike where people were chanting “reforms, no elections”.
Read
