Jamaat-e-Islami declares 3-day nationwide blockade following BNP's lead

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a three-day nationwide blockade to press home its demand to oust the ruling Awami League government.

The group’s Acting Secretary General ATM Masum made the announcement at a media briefing in Dhaka on Monday, a day after the BNP and its allied groups called a similar nationwide blockade, reports bdnews24.com.

“Jamaat is declaring a nationwide blockade of road, rail and water transport for three days starting on Tuesday to demand the government’s resignation, a free and fair 12th national election, the installation of a non-partisan government before the polls and the release of all detained party leaders and activists,” Masum said, condemning the recent inflation and the violence during the BNP’s antigovernment rally in Dhaka on October 28.

The group’s acting chief denounced the attack on the BNP rally by ruling party activists and the police and called on its supporters and the people to engage in a peaceful blockade.

At least 2,000 Jamaat loyalists have been arrested across the country over the past few days following political rallies and a general strike.