11-party observes road-barricade programme amid attacks
Staff Correspondent
The left-leaning 11-party alliance yesterday put up barricades on highways and railways across the country for two hours amid attacks allegedly by the BNP activists backed by law enforcers.The alliance demanding resignation of the BNP-Jamaat coalition government launched the programme from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm. Central leaders of the alliance enforced the barricade programme at Kanchpur in Narayanganj and Gazipur roundabout. Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, also coordinator of the alliance, yesterday at a post-barricade rally at Muktangon in the capital announced a sit-in on January 24 in districts and upazilas. Menon alleged that during the barricade programme, the BNP activists and police swooped on the 11-party activists across the country, injuring at least 19 in Rajshahi and Kanchpur. Workers Party leader Mahbur Rahman and Bulbul Ahmed were stabbed and 15 others including Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Rajshahi district General Secretary Rafiqul Islam injured when at least 50 armed BNP activists allegedly attacked a rally at Puthia Bus Stand. In Kanchpur, Suruj Ali Mattobor, Shamim Ahmed and Hafiz were injured in an attack led reportedly by the BNP men. Police also foiled a rally at Natore. Menon warned that the alliance would resist any obstacle put by the government to its demonstrations. He said the government tried to hamper the 11-party's hartal and road-barricade programme in vain. The alliance is on the road also in protest at the deterioration of law and order and price spiral of essentials, to protect national resources and save the country from clutches of imperialist forces including World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation. Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of the CPB, among others, were present at the rally.
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