The authorities of United Kingdom have warned visitors of Thursday's general strike called by the BNP.
The UK authorities issued some advices for its citizens, who are currently staying in Bangladesh or planning to visit the country on its official website on Wednesday.
“If you’re currently in Bangladesh or intend to travel to Bangladesh, even if you’re a regular visitor with family or business links, you should monitor news media and regularly consult this travel advice.”
According to the website, British High Commission staff have been advised to avoid the area around Road 86 Gulshan 2, where the BNP has its Gulshan party office until further notice.
The notice read: “If you’re travelling during a blockade you should avoid demonstrations and protests as they may quickly turn violent and lead to attacks on property and public transport including burning buses, which has resulted in the death and serious injuries.”
“A leading BNP official was shot and wounded and his car set on fire on January 13 in Gulshan 2. The BNP-led 20 party alliance has called for an enforced dawn to dusk enforced general strike (hartal) on Thursday in protest.”
“You should limit your movements around central Dhaka, particularly around political offices, government ministries and Dhaka University campus and remain vigilant across the country, taking care where there are large gatherings, political offices and rallies,” added the notice.
Political tensions between the Awami League-led Government and the BNP-led 20-party alliance have been increased in January 2015 on the first anniversary of the January 5, 2014 parliamentary elections, which the BNP boycotted.
The BNP chief Khaleda Zia has been kept confined to her Gulshan party office since January 3. Later, the party declared a non-stop nationwide blockade on January 5.
The current blockade has been marked by violence and sporadic clashes between the police and protesters, leaving a number of people killed and injured.
The authorities also warned its nationals of the ongoing unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
It said: “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office [FCO] advise against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This does not include the city of Chittagong or other parts of Chittagong Division.”
“If you propose to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts you must give the Bangladeshi authorities ten days’ notice of your travel plans.”
Up to 75,000 British nationals visit Bangladesh every year.
