Eight top leaders of Bangladesh's main opposition BNP party, including its vice president, were arrested today during raids, prompting it to extend a 48-hour nationwide strike by one more day even as premier Sheikh Hasina warned of stern action to contain political violence.
The leaders, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) vice president Selima Rahman and chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, were arrested in a crackdown in the capital.
Rahman was arrested from her residence shortly after she announced the BNP's decision to extend its shutdown until tomorrow to protest the "farcical polls".
Two former lawmakers, Fazlul Haque Milon and Nazimuddin Ahmed, were arrested during a raid on the office of BNP chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque.
Four more opposition activists were detained from various parts of Dhaka, but were released later. Party chief Zia has been confined to her home for the past two weeks.
The fresh arrests came a day after Hasina ordered army and law enforcement agencies to restore peace and order at any cost.
"I am issuing directives to all members of the administration, military and law enforcement agencies to work sincerely to contain with iron hands any post-election terrorism and violence," Hasina said.
She called on President Abdul Hamid and reiterated her determination to protect the life and property of people.
"It was a courtesy call on after the elections when the premier told the president that she was determined to do anything required to protect the life and property of the people," presidential spokesman Ihsanul Karim Helal told PTI.
Sunday's general election was boycotted by the 18-party opposition alliance led by the BNP. Hasina's Awami League secured over a three-fourth majority in the polls marred by deadly clashes and a low turnout.
The BNP boycotted the polls after Hasina rejected the opposition's demand for a neutral caretaker regime for election oversight.
Political violence during strikes enforced by the opposition since November have left over 160 people dead.
Hasina has asserted that her re-election in the much-disputed polls was legitimate and appealed to her arch-rival, Zia, to shun "terrorism" and sever ties with the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami to strike a deal on the next elections.
