Al-zakir
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Situation outside Dhaka dangerous: Muhith
07 Feb, 2015
The situation outside Dhaka has taken a severe turn due to the ongoing blockade and hartal, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said today.
“Disconnection of the districts [from the capital] has become dangerous for the economy. It is the most concerning thing. We will have to keep the districts functional," Muhith said at a press conference at Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.
"The impact of hartals in Dhaka is not significant, but the impact in the district level is alarming," he added.
The economy is paying a heavy price due to the blockade that continues to disrupt supply chains, corner businesses and threaten government's revenue mobilisation.
The country has lost at least $10 billion directly in physical damages and lost productions, incomes and profits since the BNP-led alliance launched its nonstop blockade on January 6, according to estimates from various chambers and associations.
The blockade and violence have badly hit farm incomes, disrupted inter-district road and rail transport, pushed up food inflation, weakened buyer confidence on the exporters' ability to deliver in time and halted the rebuilding of investors and consumers' confidence.
Bd Today:Situation outside Dhaka dangerous: Muhith
Firebomb on bus kills 4 despite police escort, 30 injured
The Dhaka-bound bus started its journey from the Gaibandha bus terminal. The vehicle was part of a motorcade traveling under police escort.
At least four people, including a child, have been burnt alive in a petrol bomb attack on bus in front of the REB (Rural electrification bureau) office at Tulshighat area of Gaibanbdha Sadar upazila.
The attacked bus was under police protection while it was attacked.
Officer-in-Charge of Sadar police station, Raziur Rahman said miscreant hurled petrol bombs at a Dhaka-bound bus named Napu Paribahan around 11pm on Friday night.
At least 30 others sustained burn injuries in the attack. All of them were sent to Gaibandha Sadar hospital and Rangpur Medical college hospital, he added.
The Dhaka-bound bus started its journey from the Gaibandha bus terminal. The vehicle was a part of a motorcade travelling under police escort.
When the escort reach the spot, miscreant hurled petrol bombs at the bus and disappeared immediately, the OC added.
Three fire fighter units rushed to the spot immediately and douse the fire, he said.
Bd Today:Firebomb on bus kills 4 despite police escort, 30 injured