Monday, February 14 2005 12:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Around 600 Opposition activists were arrested ahead of the two-day Awami League (AL) sponsored anti-Government general strike, which got underway in Bangladesh today (Feb 14, 2005) amid fears of violence.

The activists were arrested over the past two days in capital Dhaka, police said today.

As the nation geared for the new round of strikes called by the main Opposition AL and leftwing parties, thousands of security personnel were deployed to ward off any violence during the shutdown, which coincided with nationwide rallies of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party against "anarchy".

Both sides ignored calls to reschedule their plans to avoid possible violence.

Up to 11,000 security personnel would guard the city of more than 12 million until the strike ends tomorrow evening (Feb 15, 2005), reports in Dhaka said.

Schools, shops and most private offices were shut or operated with skeleton staff. Some buses and taxis along with a large number of rickshaws were operating.

There was, however no reports of violence during the first hours of the strike, but small groups of Opposition activists were picketed, police and witnesses said.

Besides the main Opposition AL, leftwing parties, which backed the strike, also staged brief rallies before being dispersed by baton-wielding police.

The new round of two days of non-stop general strike has been called just after six similar shutdowns was enforced since last month to protest the grenade attack on a rally of Awami League and police actions during previous strikes.