Bangladesh came to a halt on Thursday as 14-party opposition alliance enforced a whole day general work stoppage to protest against the government's alleged attempt to undo its grand rally held in Dhaka on Tuesday "through planned obstacles and harassment."

The general strike called by the Awami League of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and its left allies paralyzed the country as all businesses, banks and schools were shut. The capital markets of the country in Dhaka and southeastern Chittagong were closed, transport workers stayed indoor, Bangladesh's largest port in Chittagong did not operate.

Business leaders claimed a day general strike causes US$60 million economic losses to the country.

The strike was by and large peaceful as there was no report of major violence, except some clashes between the workers of the opposition with police in the capital Dhaka. There were some chase and counter chase between police and activists of the opposition as police put barricade on roads and the central office of Awami League in the capital.

The 14-party alliance held the grand rally to force the government to reform the caretaker government system to oversee the general election and reform the election process they are demanding.

Addressing the rally, Awami League chief and Leader of Opposition Sheikh Hasina announced a month-long fresh course of anti-government action program which includes general strike, demonstrations grand rallies and siege of all district headquarters.

The opposition termed the transport strike called by the pro-government faction before the grand rally as a brazen attempt of ruling four-party alliance government to foil the grand rally, but the government leader rejected the accusation saying it had no link with the transport strike.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2005)