DHAKA: The BNP-led 20-party alliance has apparently kept the weakened out of purview of the hartal as they enforced no shutdown for Friday and Saturday.

In the mean time, BNP-sponsored road-rail-waterway blockade is continuing across the country. Friday is the thirty eighth straight days of the blockade since BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia called the program on January 5.

In previous two weeks, country witnessed a series of fresh shutdowns by the alliances, which were followed by a two-day break only during the weekend.

However, the alliance on Thursday threatened to wage tougher movements, including non-stop nationwide shutdown again from Sunday beside continues blockade.

BNP Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed, in a statement, announced a protest program for Saturday.

According to the announcement, the alliance will hold protest rallies in all thanas, upazilas, municipalities, district sadars and all wards of metropolitans on Saturday.

Since the blockade began, sabotages claimed over 50 lives across the country. More lawpersons have been deployed to keep law and order situations under control.

BDST: 0854 HRS, FEB 13, 2015

** 20-party threatens hartal from Sunday