Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike enforced by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) affected normal life and businesses in the capital and elsewhere of the country on Tuesday.
Police picked up 45 BNP leaders and workers during the opposition sponsored dawn to dusk general strike, popularly known as hartal in Dhaka on the day, according to reports.
On November 22 this year, the BNP announced the 12-hour general strike, popularly known as hartal, demanding actions to resolve the miseries of the people, save democracy and defend the nation's interest.
Schools, shops, business centers and private offices were closed and most cars and buses were off the streets during the shutdown.
In Dhaka, pickets clashed with riot police and set afire two buses and exploded home made bombs.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikka jote, two allies of BNP, also brought processions in the city in support of the general strike.
BBN/SI/AD-30Nov10-11:50 pm (BST)