NATIONWIDE BLOCKADE CONTINUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000033 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER CASC BG SUBJECT: NATIONWIDE BLOCKADE CONTINUES REF: A. DHAKA 25 ¶B. DHAKA 30 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi; Reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The AL-led alliance's nationwide blockade continued for a second day as police and protesters clashed in Dhaka and roads in and out of Dhaka remain blocked. Police reported protesters used small bombs equivalent to large firecrackers and, in one instance, police received small weapons fire. Chittagong port remains open, but the transportation blockade means goods are stuck at the port. The blockade was observed peacefully in other cities. Post held an EAC meeting. (ref B) End summary. ¶2. (C) The level of violence increased on the second day of the Awami League (AL) led alliance blockade program as protesters threw stones and "small bombs" (Molotov cocktails) at police in several locations in Dhaka. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested dozens of protesters. The number of protest sites increased from a few key intersections in Dhaka (ref A) to include additional intersections, including Old Dhaka and Mirpur. As of 1600 local, estimates varied on the number of injuries among demonstrators and police from a low of 100 to as many as 300, but no fatalities have been reported. ¶3. (C) Police reported the use of small arms fire by some protesters within the narrow alleyways of Old Dhaka, injuring one police officer. Police responded by shooting rubber bullets. At one point an officer fired a shotgun, aimed at no one, into the air. Awami League Organizing Secretary Ahkter Ahkteruzzaman told poloff that he was unaware of the use of the small arms against police, opining it had to be an "isolated incident as we are a people's movement." ¶4. (C) As of 1600 local, media reported that roads in and out of Dhaka remain effectively blocked. Large groups of protesters gathered at the port city of Chittagong without incident. Authorities reported that the port is full of containers further hampering port operations and keeping 70 plus ships waiting at anchor. In addition, the blockade means roads to the port are closed preventing movement of cargo to and from the port. In Sylhet, sources reported that protesters stopped a local train and passenger bus without violence. In Rajshahi, police kept AL-led alliance demonstrators away from a BNP political rally led by BNP party mayor Mizanaur Rahman without incident. Sources also reported that Khulna observed the nationwide blockade peacefully. ¶5. (C) Comment: The AL-led alliance has announced plans to lay seige to the President's compound, Bangabhaban, tomorrow (ref A),as part of their three day nationwide campaign. While the demonstrators have effectively shut down Dhaka and Chittagong port operations, the political stalemate continues. BUTENIS