The second day of the countrywide 48-hour hartal, called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties, protesting the general election schedule, is underway on Monday.
The presence of public transport on Dhaka roads seems usual this morning. But most of the commuters are using the transport with fear.
Hasib, who worked at a private company, said, "I have to wait for the bus with fear of violence as the hartal supporters burn these vehicles."
The strike will end at 6am on Friday.
A total of 231 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and 425 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are deployed in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country to maintain law and order during the hartal.
BNP, Jamaat and likeminded opposition parties called the hartal after they had earlier observed five countrywide blockades of roads, rail and waterways. The blockades were marked by frequent burning of vehicles, particularly buses, in Dhaka and other districts of the country.
The presence of law enforcement personnel at several points in Dhaka is higher this morning compared to the blockades.
The first day of the hartal was marked on Sunday by sporadic incidents of arson attacks and clashes.
According to reports, 10 people were injured in a clash between police and BNP in Sunamganj, while a primary school and a number of vehicles including a train were torched on Sunday across the country.
This is the first hartal being observed by the opposition parties since the Election Commission announced the polls schedule.
TF
