Dhaka, Sept 16: Normal life in many parts of Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka, was partly disrupted today due to a day-long countrywide strike called by factory workers even as reports of large scale arrests came in. Schools, shops and private offices remained closed and there were few vehicles on the roads amidst stringent security measures taken in view of the strike.
Nearly 1,000 people were rounded up by police in connection with the strike, called by the jute, cotton and textile mills employees action committee to protest the government's privatisation policies, media reports said.
More than 4,000 policemen were patrolling Dhaka to prevent any incident of violence.
The workers went ahead with the strike today after late night talks between the government and agitating workers in a bid to avert the strike failed to yield any result.
They are protesting the government decision to close down three mills in southwestern Khulna area. Though the government later reneged its decision, the committee stuck to its earlier decision of enforcing the general strike, the Daily Star reported.
The strike is being supported by major opposition parties, including the Awami League. Different left-leaning parties brought out processions and held rallies in the capital yesterday to drum up support for the shutdown.
Bureau Report