DHAKA: A non-stop 36-hour countrywide hartal, called by the BNP-led 20-party alliance protesting power price hike, government’s ‘conspiracy of sabotages’ and arrest of their 10 thousands leaders and activists, has began on Sunday dawn.

The shut down, starting from 6:00am, will continue till Monday evening amid the BNP called nationwide indefinite blockade.

The hartal, however, was declared by BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi earlier on Saturday.

He, through a press release, has also urged the party leaders and activists to observe the strike peacefully.

BDST: 0644 HRS, JAN 25, 2015