Bangladesh ruling party supporters demonstrate against blockade

Dhaka, February 16: Thousands of supporters of Bangladesh’s ruling party marched on Monday towards ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia’s office, demanding an end to her opposition alliance’s countrywide transport blockade. Police and witnesses said thousands of supporters of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League thronged the streets leading to Zia’s office under the banner of “the Coordition Council for Workers, Employees, Professiols and Freedom Fighters”, according to Xinhua news agency Police stopped the demonstrators at an intersection in Dhaka’s diplomatic enclave Gulshan when they tried to move toward the office where Zia has been staying since January 5 after she was barred from joining a rally of her Bangladesh tiolist Party (BNP). Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan led the march and the demonstrators chanted slogans against the 42-day-old anti-government blockade. Scores of activists of Mohila (Women) Awami League also staged a similar demonstration near Zia’s office. Meanwhile, two home-made bombs exploded near a popular mall in Dhaka Monday, leaving two people with minor injuries.  (IANS)