Staff Reporter :
Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have warned their citizens in Bangladesh about movement over a court verdict against BNP Chief Begum Khaleda Zia. The governments of these countries have issued the warnings on their websites, requesting their citizens to avoid areas that generate large crowds and to monitor local media.
The US Embassy in Dhaka issued travellers’ alert on February 6 advising American citizens to be vigilant while travelling throughout Dhaka and all major cities in Bangladesh.
“Demonstrations would take place on February 8 and in conjunction with a programme after announcement of a verdict in a court case against opposition leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Demonstrations may or may not affect local transportation services, schools, shopping malls, and infrastructure,” it said.
“Past experiences say that protests in Bangladesh have turned violent, resulting in lengthy traffic disruptions, injuries, and deaths.
Participants may throw rocks, debris, and small homemade explosive devices. Security forces may lob teargas and use other crowd control substances including firearms with rubber bullets,” it warned.
It requested the US citizens in Bangladesh to monitor local news, expect heavier than normal traffic congestion throughout the day, avoid large crowds and protests, and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
