A 48-hour hartal called by the BNP began across Bangladesh today (January 6) demanding the cancellation of the January 7 general election slated
to be held tomorrow.

The hartal began at 6:00am and will end at 6:00am on Monday. 

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.

A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the polls. The number of vehicles on the street is fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets.

Meanwhile, four people were killed after miscreants set fire on the Benapole Express in the capital's Gopibag area around 9:05pm on Friday. The train was en route to Dhaka, carrying passengers from Benapole.

Eight, including two children, are currently undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

This is the fifth hartal programme for BNP since October 28, in addition to the 23-day blockade programme in 12 phases.

The party initiated a day-long hartal nationwide on October 29 after police and ruling party activists thwarted its October 28 grand rally in Dhaka.

BDST: 1143 HRS, JAN 06, 2024 
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