The BNP has decided to enforce a countrywide shutdown with its allies the day after the government raises fuel oil prices.
Standing Committee Member Tariqul Islam said a meeting of the leaders of 18-Party alliance at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office took the decision on Sunday night.
“There will be a shutdown the next day the government announces oil price hike. If the announcement comes on Sunday, a shutdown will be there on Monday. The alliance leaders have taken the decision in advance,” said Islam.
Islam also briefed journalists about the month-long programme, including staging of human-chain protests in all the metropolitan cities and districts on Jan 15, to gather public support for a number of their demands, including reinstatement of the caretaker government system to oversee the next election.
Countrywide demonstrations will be staged on Jan 6 followed by a day-long mass contact and distribution of leaflets on Jan 23.
Their other demands include reduction of the prices of essential commodities, the release of the opposition leaders, trial of those involved in the killing of Biswajit Das and acknowledging that one of the party's organising secretaries M Ilias Ali is a victim of forced disappearance.
According to Islam, the alliance decided to discontinue their programmes for 11 days in the month due to Biswa Ijtema and 'O' level examinations.
“We will build public opinion on our demand through throwing democratic programmes.”
Asked about the BNP's national council, Islam said the matter would be decided after the release of their Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
The leaders of the alliance met on Sunday at 9pm.
Source: The Daily Star
