Agencies/Dhaka
Bangladesh yesterday banned motorcyclists from carrying extra passengers in a bid to halt a spate of drive-by firebombing attacks by anti-government protesters, officials said.
The South Asian nation has been hit by weeks of violent protests after the opposition leader called a nationwide transport blockade to topple prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
At least 30 people have been killed in the violence to date, more than a dozen of whom burnt to death after buses and cars were firebombed.
The government said many of those attacks were carried out by pillion-riding motorcyclists, making it difficult to arrest them despite deploying thousands of police and paramilitaries across the country.
“It’s been noticed that assailants are using motorcycles to carry out massive violence and subversive acts including bomb attacks on vehicles on the street,” the Roads and Highways Department said in a statement.
“To ensure public safety pillion riding on motorbikes has been banned across the country until further notice.”
Motorcycle is the main mode of transport in many remote parts of the country.
The move comes after authorities shut down smartphone messaging and voice services Viber and Tango at the weekend in an attempt to quell the protests.
Opposition leader Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia wants Hasina to call fresh polls after her re-election last year in what was effectively a one-horse race following a boycott by her rivals over rigging fears.
An indefinite transport blockade called by the Bangladeshi opposition is taking a heavy toll on businesses, the chamber of commerce said yesterday.
The losses amount to nearly $4.7bn (364bn) in 16 major business sectors in the country, according to an estimate by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“We are dealing with everyday loss of nearly $293mn in the major business sectors,” Hossain Khaled, president of the chamber, said.
Khaled from the chamber of commerce urged politicians to bring to an end to the standoff.
He said the sectors worst affected were those for ready-made garments, transportation, real estate, agriculture, tourism and trade.
The government Wednesday launched a widespread crackdown on opposition activists after it announced bounties to help capture the suspected arsonists.
More than 7,000 people, mainly opposition activists, have been arrested for suspected involvement in the attacks, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu told reporters.
Mokhlesur Rahman, the additional inspector general of police, said:
“Police were asked to show zero tolerance on any acts of terrorism.”
The ruling Awami League’s workers’ front has tried to lay siege to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office in Dhaka but the party workers were blocked by police .
The pro-ruling party workers’ organisations, including Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ League threatened to go on a hunger strike if the ongoing transport blockade is not withdrawn by tomorrow.
Several hundred members of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik League (Road Transport Workers’ League), Bangladesh Muktijodhha Projonmo (Freedom Fighters’ Sons and Daughters) League, Dhaka District Truck Covered Van Sramik (Workers) Union, Sammilita (Combined) Garment Sramik (Workers) Union and Bangladesh Muktijodhha Sangsad (Freedom Fighters Organization) tried to march towards Khaleda’s office at Gulshan-2 around 11am.
Police, however, stopped them at North road near Gulshan-2 circle.
Later, they took position at Gulshan-2 crossing and staged demonstrations there raising slogans against the blockade that entered the 17th day yesterday.
Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik League general secretary Insur Ali said: “Khaleda Zia must withdraw the blockade by Saturday. Those involved in setting fire to buses and killing people must be arrested.”
Otherwise, he warned, the transport workers will begin a fast-unto-death programme in front of the National Press Club from Sunday.
Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik (Road Transport Workers’) League president Wahiduzzaman said the BNP chief is giving instructions to carry out arson attacks and destructive activities during her illegal blockade programme.
Security has been beefed up in the area with deployment of additional police force following the transport workers’ programme.
Khaleda Zia
