Dhaka, Apr 25: Security was beefed up in the Bangladeshi capital today as protests by main Opposition demanding the ouster of Begum Khaleda Zia's government expected to turn on the heat today to coincide with the resumption of the parliamentary session. Lawmakers belonging to Awami League are scheduled to March towards Parliament later in the day.

The march, which is part of the previously announced program, coincides with the resumption of the adjourned 11th session after a one month recess, an unprecedented event in Bangladesh's parliamentary history. AL, which has 60 lawmakers in 300 member house and boycotting Parliament since June last, is unlikely to return.

Security in and around parliament has been beefed up as the Opposition, which yesterday failed to carry out its first day of the three day "no-confidence" program would try to demonstrate" no confidence" against the government again today amid mass arrests.

Meanwhile, the AL last night called a countrywide strike on April 28 and 29 and a nationwide agitation program on April 27 to protest mass arrests, reiterate its demand for resignation of the government and hold mid-term polls. The call was given after party activists and others were allegedly harassed yesterday for attempting to observe peaceful no confidence program.

Al General Secretary Abdul Jalil MP condemned police crackdown on "peaceful" no confidence program and claimed that in last seven days 12,000 people were arrested.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, without naming the Opposition, yesterday asked the people to guard against conspirators who were out to foil the development process initiated by the government. Bureau Report