Bangladesh opposition extends nationwide strike to Friday
Xinhua, February 25, 2015 Adjust font size:
Bangladesh's opposition alliance decided on Tuesday to extend an ongoing 72-hour nationwide strike to Friday morning in protest against what it said the killings of opposition supporters.
Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Salahuddin Ahmed said in a statement that the law enforcement agencies were killing opposition men in the name of shootouts and dumping their bodies on farmlands and in waters.
He also blamed authorities of involving opposition supporters in false cases and conducting mass arrest of leaders and activists.
A police spokesman was not available for comment.
BNP and its allies staged the 72-hour strike from Sunday morning amid a nationwide transport blockade.
Ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's 20-party opposition alliance has launched the blockade since Jan. 5, demanding fresh elections under a non-party caretaker government system.
The fresh wave of violence has left scores of people dead and hundreds injured. Endi