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Bangladesh opposition leader Zia calls for blockade | Bangladesh opposition leader Zia calls for blockade |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Bangladeshi opposition leader Khaleda Zia has called on her supporters to enforce a transport blockade after three people were killed during clashes with pro-government crowds. | |
She urged members of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to halt road, rail and river transport indefinitely. | She urged members of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to halt road, rail and river transport indefinitely. |
The deaths in the northern town of Natore came on the first anniversary of disputed general elections. | |
Both parties have called for rallies despite a ban on demonstrations. | Both parties have called for rallies despite a ban on demonstrations. |
'Prisoners' | |
Security forces are preventing Ms Zia from leaving her party offices in the capital Dhaka. Police say they want to stop violence. | Security forces are preventing Ms Zia from leaving her party offices in the capital Dhaka. Police say they want to stop violence. |
"Not only am I prisoner, but the whole of the country is being held captive. What kind of country are we living in?" Ms Zia said from her residence. | |
The opposition leader was forced to issue her call for mass protests from inside her office, having been stopped from leaving since police cordoned off the area on Saturday night. | |
Ms Zia and her arch rival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have frequently called for general strikes and blockades when in opposition. | Ms Zia and her arch rival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have frequently called for general strikes and blockades when in opposition. |
The prime minister for her part accused the BNP of trying to create chaos in its efforts to overthrow the government. | |
"I am urging the BNP leader to stop these bomb and grenade attacks, these acts of sabotage, and killings, of arson and damage to property," she said in a televised address to the nation. | |
On Monday, the authorities parked trucks laden with sand and bricks outside her office in what correspondents say was an effort to prevent her from spearheading anti-government protests in person. | On Monday, the authorities parked trucks laden with sand and bricks outside her office in what correspondents say was an effort to prevent her from spearheading anti-government protests in person. |
While the opposition leader was barred from leaving her offices, armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon also stopped her supporters from entering or leaving the premises. | While the opposition leader was barred from leaving her offices, armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon also stopped her supporters from entering or leaving the premises. |
A number of people have been injured in clashes in the capital and about half a dozen other towns, reports say. | A number of people have been injured in clashes in the capital and about half a dozen other towns, reports say. |
The BNP and other opposition parties boycotted last year's election, saying it would be rigged. | The BNP and other opposition parties boycotted last year's election, saying it would be rigged. |
They were angry that Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, refused to stand aside to make way for a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the election. | They were angry that Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, refused to stand aside to make way for a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the election. |
Dozens of BNP workers have disappeared since last year's election, with human rights groups blaming the government - although it denies this. | Dozens of BNP workers have disappeared since last year's election, with human rights groups blaming the government - although it denies this. |
An adviser to the prime minister insisted on Sunday that Ms Zia had not been locked up but had been given "enhanced security protection". | |
The two leaders have alternated in power for most of the last two decades when the army has not been in government. | |
Battle of the leading ladies | |
Political background: | |
Times in power: | |
Why they do not like each other: | |
Reasons for more recent tension: |