The second day of the 48-hour nationwide blockade called by BNP-Jamaat is underway on Monday.
Since morning, the roads in Dhaka remained relatively calm, with minimal traffic and limited public transportation visible.
In areas such as Gulistan, Paltan, Press Club, Shahbagh, Banglamotor, Kawran Bazar, Farmget, Kalabagan, Asadget, Kollayanpur, and Gabtoli, commuters were seen waiting at bus stops, but buses were reportedly arriving late.
While there is a slight decrease in the number of public transport, people could reach their destinations quickly due to the empty roads.
Apart from that, very few log-distance buses were seen leaving Dhaka from Gabtoli on Monday morning.
In addition to the roads, railway, and waterway transportation in the capital remained normal since the morning.
Public transport owners said they are operating their businesses as there have been no reports of vandalism or arson since morning.
Increased security
Members of law enforcement agencies were seen patrolling many areas to prevent any untoward incidents during the blockade.
A total of 228 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across Bangladesh, including the capital, BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
BNP sit-ins
BNP held sit-ins and protest programs in Khilgaon and Dolaipar in the capital, demanding elections under a non-partisan caretaker government.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi led the Khilgaon protest march.
At that time, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that BNP's democratic movement cannot be suppressed by repression. The morale of the activists cannot be broken by arresting, remanding, or torturing the leaders. Rather, as the torture increases, the activists will become stronger and take to the streets.
He also said that the prime minister and ministers of the illegal government are saying baseless words by being isolated from the people of Bangladesh and the world.
They have understood their downfall is imminent, Rizvi said.
Another group of activists held a protest march by blocking the road in Dholaipar on Monday morning.
The procession started from Mirhajirbagh Kachabazar Road and ended at Dholaipar Road.
Chief Coordinator of Zone-8 of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP and Joint Convener of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Anam Saiful Islam attended the protest march.
Meanwhile, on Sunday night police searched Saiful Islam’s Dholaipar residence.
At that time, Saiful was not found at his home, police detained his manager and staff.