Vehicular movement remained on the second day of the blockade called by some parties including BNP and Jamaat. In support of the blockade on Wednesday morning, BNP and Jamaat activists tried to stop traffic by throwing wooden blocks and bricks at the three entrances of the city.
Even though all the markets of the city were open during the blockade, no long-distance vehicles were plying. However, small vehicles including autorickshaws, human haulers and tempos plyed on different routes as usual. Trains plying from Rajshahi on various routes leave Rajshahi railway station on time.
Meanwhile, police patrolling and activity in the city during the siege was more than the previous day. In the early hours of the morning, there were jhtika marches in support of the blockade in some parts of the city, but no one else was on the streets throughout the day.
BNP and Jamaat leaders and activists took out jhtica march in support of the blockade in Tanor, Durgapur and Puthia of the district. On Tuesday night, 38 BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists were arrested from various places in Rajshahi city and district.
On the other hand, the leaders and activists of Awami League and allied organizations held a protest march calling for resistance against the blockade at noon.
Mahatab Hossain, General Secretary of Rajshahi Motor Workers Union, said that the buses from Rajshahi on long-distance and inter-district routes were ready for plying, but the vehicles did not leave due to passenger shortage.
