US embassy cable - 05DHAKA1536

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 001536 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/3/15 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, BG 
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH STRIKE UPDATE 
 
 
Classified By: P/E  Counselor D.C. McCullough, Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d) 
 
1. (SBU)  The Awami League and its leftist allies, as part of 
its campaign to bring down the ruling government following 
the January 27 killing of Shah AMS Kibria, called for a dawn 
to 2 PM strike (hartal) in Dhaka and a dawn to dusk strike 
elsewhere in the country.  The AL held no strike in 
Chittagong, the economic capital of Bangladesh, and called 
for a only four hour strike in the tornado ravaged Gaibandha 
district, located 300 kilometers north-west of Dhaka. 
 
2. (SBU) In Dhaka, there were few AL protesters evident in 
the streets but the strike was observed with major shopping 
stores and markets closed, and only lighter than normal 
vehicle traffic.  Hartal supporters damaged a train 
compartment in a Dhaka suburb, and there were scattered 
reports of some vehicles being damaged.  There was a large 
police presence, estimated at 8,000 plus, throughout the city. 
 
3. (SBU) In Khulna, Rajshahi, Jessore, Cox's Bazaar, and 
Syhlet, as of 1600 local, no incidents were reported. 
 
4.(SBU) Media reports say that the shortened Dhaka hartal was 
to permit Kibria's family to hold their signature banner 
display at 1600 local, and the canceling of the hartal in 
Chittagong was at the request of local business community as 
well as to permit a major Islamic conference to continue. 
However, large Chittagong stores and markets were closed. 
The calling of only a four hour strike in Gaibandha was to 
permit ongoing relief efforts to continue aiding the 40,000 
people affected by a recent tornado. 
 
5. (SBU) When asked about the shortened program, AL 
Organizing Secretary Ahktar Ahktarruzzaman said the AL did 
not plan a "strong program" as they did not want to interfere 
with "O" school level examinations in progress.  He said that 
the AL's next step was to wait for the return of Sheikh 
Hasina from Singapore on APril 7 and then review their 
caretaker government reform proposals. 
THOMAS