Dhaka wears deserted look ahead of opposition rally

The usually bustling streets of the Bangladesh capital were almost empty Monday as public transportation remained off the roads ahead of a rally called by the opposition, a media report said.

In the morning, people mostly travelled by cycle-rickshaws, reported Xinhua.

According to the Daily Star, police and workers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling party — the Awami League — and its allies barred people from entering the city for the rally.

TV channels showed police brandishing bamboo and hockey sticks.

Road and river communications between Dhaka and other parts of the country has been affected since Sunday. No long-distance buses left or entered the capital Monday while ferry services also remained suspended.

Many people have gathered to hear a speech by opposition leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced in January the “Dhaka Cholo” programme, aimed at pressing the government to restore the constitutional provision for the caretaker government system to oversee the next general elections slated for 2014.

BNP leader Zainul Abdin Farroque said the government enforced “unofficial curfew” in Dhaka.

Zia in a statement has cautioned the government that it will have to face dire consequences if their rally was obstructed.

Although Zia said her party will observe the programme peacefully, Hasina expressed apprehension over the risk of mayhem that may be created in the capital city.