Eggs hurled at Khaleda’s Gulshan office
Protesters hurled eggs targeting the Gulshan office of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today during a programme of organised by pro-ruling party bodies demanding an end to the countrywide blockade sponsored by the 20-party alliance.
Separate factions of the protesting crowd also threatened for an ultimatum of hunger strike and sit in demonstration if the blockade is not withdrawn by two days.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Around 500 activists of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik League, Bangladesh Muktijodhha Projonmo League, Bangladesh Muktijodhha Sangsad and Sammilito Garments Sramik Parishad tried to march to the Khaleda’s Gulshan office in Dhaka around 11:00am.
Police stopped them at Gulshan 2 circle where the activists sat in for a demonstration and gave out the ultimatum demanding withdrawal of the blockade that entered 17th day today.
Around noon, about 60 people, seemingly from the marginal level of the society, under banner ‘Khete Khawa Nagarbasi’ appeared at Gulshan road 86 with shovels and baskets.
They were chanting slogans against the blockade claiming they were its worst victim and hurled about eight eggs targeting Khaleda’s office, our correspondent reports from the spot.
They were stopped by the police as well. They sat in for a demonstration and continued with their slogans. Most of them appeared to be day labourers.
One such labourer, Abdul Haque, said they were led by Abdul Halim of Badda and Babul of Dholairpar. “I work under Babul’s instructions at Tk 400 per day.”
“I had known Babul worked for Jatiya Party. But, I’m not aware about his present political identity,” he said.
Meanwhile, some people were also recognised on the spot as members of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student body of ruling Awami League.
The march of Paribahan Sramik League, Projonmo League, Muktijodhha Sangsad and Garments Sramik Parishad was stopped at Gulshan 2 circle. They sat in for a demonstration and staged a demonstration there demanding withdrawal of the blockade.
“Withdraw blockade by January 24 or we will go for a hunger strike from the next day near Jatiya Press Club,” threatened Insur Ali, president of Sarak Paribahan Sramik League, a transport workers forum pro to the ruling Awami League.
Projonmo League General Secretary Amirul Islam Chowdhury warned of a sit in demonstration in the capital if the blockade is not withdrawn within two days.
They all demanded the arrest of Khaleda Zia and her trial for blockade-time violence.
At least 28 people, including 17 without reported affiliation to politics, died in the violence between Awami League and BNP centering the first anniversary of January 5 national polls.
BNP, who boycotted the January 5 election, now demands a fresh inclusive polls under nonpartisan body while the ruling party is firm on holding an election in line with the constitution.
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