Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DHAKA34
2007-01-08 23:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
NATIONWIDE BLOCKADE CONTINUES
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C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000034
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)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000034
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
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