Bangladesh was brought to a standstill Monday by the fourth general strike in a week called by the opposition, which has stepped up its campaign to oust the government since an assassination attempt on its leader.
Security was tightened for the shutdown called by the Awami League, which coincided with demonstrations by the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to deplore the August 21 attack on an opposition rally.
The streets of the capital Dhaka were largely deserted, with only rickshaws and a few three-wheel taxis and buses roaming the city. Most educational institutions and businesses remained closed.
Much of Bangladesh was similarly shut down by Awami League strikes last Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Thousands took to the streets Monday evening as the BNP and its allies launched their procession but police said no trouble was immediately reported.
Awami League officials said about five of their supporters were arrested in Dhaka and several injured when police broke up their gatherings. Police did not report any serious clashes.
Monday's shutdown was called by the Awami League's women's wing in protest against the assassination attempt on party leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed, which killed 20 people including the wing's leader Ivy Rahman.
Around 8,000 police and paramilitary troops were patrolling the city, the same as during Saturday's strike, Dhaka Additional Police Commissioner Mizanur Rahman told AFP. "We have made adequate arrangements to avoid any mishap because of the ruling party demonstration and opposition's strike," he said.
The strike also shut down many other cities and towns across the country, according to police.
"We have deployed another 200 police in the evening on top of our present 700 force to avoid any violence and we are quite worried about today's situation as the ruling party and the opposition both will be on the streets," said Akbar Ali, deputy police commissioner of the south-western city of Khulna.
In Bangladesh's second city Chittagong, police said the situation was peaceful. They deployed around 3,000 police and paramilitaries, more than during Saturday's strike. Harbour officials said deliveries to the port had been halted but work was otherwise normal.
It is the 18th stoppage since February called by the Awami League as part of its intensified campaign to oust the government, a four-party coalition led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's BNP.
Strikes are a common form of protest in Bangladesh, despite appeals from business leaders and aid donors who say the shutdowns deepen the impoverished nation's economic woes.
International police liaison body Interpol has sent two officials, one from Australia and the other from the United States, to help investigate the August 21 grenade attacks, police said. The opposition has rejected the police probe, complaining it will be biased even with Interpol involvement, and has demanded an investigation by the United Nations or the Commonwealth.
A little-known Islamic group, Hikmatul Zihad, reportedly claimed responsibility for the August 21 assault and warned that a fresh attempt would be made on Sheikh Hasina's life. The government has posted extra security for her and announced a 160,000-dollar reward for the attackers.
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