BANGLADESH STRIKE SITREP

UNCLAS DHAKA 000550

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH STRIKE SITREP


Sensitive but unclassified.


1. (SBU) The Awami League's 36-hour hartal (strike) program
that ended February 6 left one police officer dead, three
other officers injured, 80 civilians hurt and 500 arrested in
scattered incidents throughout the country, according to
reports. In Dhaka, police used tear gas and clubs to disperse
gathered AL processions in several areas throughout the city
or to restrict protesters to certain areas. Media reported
that several buses were set afire, and dozens of vehicles
were damaged.


2. (SBU) After the 36-hour hartal, the AL announced a
continued program of hartals in three cities for February 7.
After complaints from business owners, the Awami League
reduced its planned 3-day hartal in Chittagong to an eight
hour, 0600 to 1400 strike. Sources said that while most
stores remained closed, there were greater numbers of
rickshaws and cars compared to previous hartals and that
there were few efforts by picketers to enforce the hartal.
As of 1600 local, in Rangamati, located 300 kilometers east
of Dhaka, the strike was peaceably observed, while in Sylhet
the hartal was ignored.


3. (SBU) Awami League Organizing Secretary, Akhtar
Ahktaruzzaman, said the hartals are "working." When asked
about the level of violence, he claimed that the government
is hiring "hooligans" to instigate confrontations so that the
AL would be "blamed." He said that the AL would announce a
continued political program tomorrow.
THOMAS