Blockade not in force: Khaleda Zia

Dhaka: Bangladesh National Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia has said a countrywide transport blockade she called in January is no longer in force, media reported on Monday. “The blockade is not in force,” Khaleda said at a meeting.  The former Bangladesh prime minister had launched the bloackade from her office on January 5 after being barred from joining a 20-party programme on the anniversary of the 10th general election. The indefinite blockade was accompanied by sporadic shutdowns.  Khaleda did not pay heed to numerous calls to avoid shutdowns during the the Secondary School Certificate examinations which began in February and the Biswa Ijtema, the second largest annual congregation of the Muslims.