DHAKA: The fresh 72-hour hartal, sponsored by Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led (BNP) 20-party alliance, has started across the country since Sunday morning.

The seventh spell of shutdown began at Sunday 6:00am and is set to continue till Wednesday 6:00am, coupled with a nationwide road-rail-waterway blockade for indefinite period.

Prior to beginning the shutdown, stray acts of sabotages carried out by blockade supporters were reported in capital, Sirajganj, and Sholoshohor of Chittagong on Saturday night.

Earlier, BNP Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed, on behalf of the alliance, announced the seventh spell of shutdown through issuing statement Saturday afternoon.

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

In addition to the shutdown, a nationwide blockade is underway for indefinite period since Khaleda has announced the blockade on January 5 protesting government’s bar to obverse the ‘democracy killing day’ and her ‘confinement’ to Gulshan political office.

On that day, incumbent Awami League government marked the first year of its 5-year tenure since it takes office through January 5 polls, which BNP boycotted.

BDST: 0615 HRS, MAR 07, 2015

** Fresh 72hr hartal from Sunday