Dhaka, June 17: The student wing of Bangladesh's main opposition party has called for a nationwide general strike Thursday, the same day as a planned visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Stop-work protests are common and often lead to clashes with police. Authorities have said security will be "extremely tight" during Powell's brief stop. He is to meet with Bangladesh leaders and discuss efforts to rebuild Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Chhatra League student movement said today it called the strike to protest the murder yesterday of one of its members, allegedly by government supporters.
The government says it has ordered police to catch the killers.
Chhatra League officials said the strike was not purposefully intended to coincide with Powell's visit.
Political killings are common in Bangladesh, especially between rival supporters of the ruling Nationalist Party and the Awami League. Bureau Report