In Bangladesh, a 48 hour countrywide strike called by the main opposition party, the BNP and its allies, has begun from today at dawn. The BNP and its allies have called for the two day strike to protest against the scrapping of the provision of the caretaker government for conducting elections through the 15th amendment of the Constitution.Addressing a programme in Dhaka on Tuesday night, BNP leader Khaleda Zia urged the people to support the strike which she claimed, was aimed at protecting democracy in the country. Talking to reporters in Dhaka yesterday, Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun criticised the opposition’s call for a strike and warned that strict action will be taken against anybody trying to disrupt law and order. Nearly 11000 police personnel have been deployed in the city to maintain law and order during the 48 hour hartal which will end on Friday morning. Despite the security measures, miscreants managed to set fire to eight buses and some cars.