People of different walks of life have staged human chain, rallies and demonstrations across the country on Saunday, protesting the ongoing violence and anarchy "in the name of hartal and blockade" enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Our Barisal correspondent reports: Sammilita Barisalbasi formed a human chain and staged a rally to protest against the anarchy and violence.
The hour-long human-chain programme took place on Birshreshtha Captain Jahangir Mohiuddin Road in the city. Later, a peace procession was brought out from the spot.
In Noakhali, Jatiya Jubo Jote and BMA staged demonstrations separately in front of Noakhali Press Club protesting the arson attacks and killing of people.
Different political parties, social, cultural and professional organizations expressed solidarity with the programme.
In Gopalganj, the district unit of Chambers and Commerce Industry organised a human chain with slogan ' Save the country, save economics' in the town.
The chamber president Mosharraf Hossain presided over the function where among others Sheikh Masudur Rahman Masud, Kazi Liakat Ali Leku, Refaul Haque Manju, Kamrul Huda Milton and Mrinal Kanti Roy spoke.
On the other hand, Students and teachers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University formed a human chain in front of the institution protesting the ongoing violence.
Professor Dilip Kumar Roy, Dr Md Shajahan, Dr M Abdur Sattar spoke among others on the occasion.
In Chapainawbganj, businessmen, transport workers and motor car owners formed a human chain in the town holding up the national flag.
Businessman Abdul Oahed presided over the programme where local businessmen spoke on the occasion.
They said the people of northern area of the country suffer most due to viloence during the ongoing blockade and hartal programmes.
In Kishoreganj, traders and common people formed a human chain in Station Road area with slogan 'Save the country, save the economy'.
Local traders, transport workers and vehicular owners urged the government to save the country from the hand of terrorists.
The district unit of Commerce and Industry president Badol Rahman presided over the programme.
Rajshahi correspondent reports: Businesspersons from all over in the district and its outskirts came out on the streets to protest against the ongoing violent blockade and frequent hartal by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
The demonstrators sang the national anthem with the national flag in their hands.
Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organised the 15-minute symbolic demonstration in front of the chamber building like other parts of the country from 12noon.
RCCI President Md Muniruzzaman and its directors Hassen Ali, Farid Uddin, Dr Faisal Kabir Chowdhury, president of Sammilita Businessmen Association Shamsuddin and its General Secretary Sekender Ali spoke on the occasion.
The speakers said the BNP's agitation has cost the national economy billions of Taka in losses and the finance minister feared Bangladesh would miss its growth target due to the adverse impact of strikes and blockades.
RCCI President Muniruzzaman raised several demands including a ban on blockade and shutdown.
He identically said: "The political turmoil comes at a time when the country was moving forward".
"The political parties should shun their violent agitation for the sake of the country and the economy," he added.
In Barguna, the people in the district with the slogan ' No more violence, no more death' came out on the street holding up with the national flag in the their hands.
They formed a human chain in the town protesting the ongoing violence.
Our Sylhet correspondent said Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) organised a human chain in front of the chamber building in the city.
The leaders of SCCI said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is out to hatch conspiracy against 15 lakh students of the country.
They threatened to stage tougher programmes if Khaleda does not abandon her non-stop action programmes.
Similar programmes were organised in many other districts including Shariatpur, Madaripur, Panchagarh, Jhalokati, Narsingdi and Kushtia.