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BD strikes cost millions

DHAKA: Bangladesh's road transport sector loses up to 150 million taka ($3 million) a day during the country's frequent general strikes, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said on Thursday.

"The road transport companies on average lose 150 million taka in a single day of a countrywide strike while the government loses 20 million taka on tolls, fees and taxes," said Shailesh Kumar Chowdhury, director of the BRTA.

The country was paralysed for the second day on Thursday by an opposition-led strike called to protest against a law designed to combat lawlessness.

Two men died and at least 15 were wounded on the first day of the strike on Wednesday.

The strikes usually drive about 25,000 buses, 35,000 trucks and lorries and 390,000 other vehicles off the roads across the country, he said.

The latest strike, set to last 36 hours till Thursday evening, was called to protest against the new law, which allows for offences such as obstructing traffic and damaging property punishable by up to 14 years hard labour in prison.

Opposition leaders, including former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, said the law was designed to tame political rivals not fight crime.-Reuters