Dhaka: Police arrested eight leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat-Shibir for ‘sabotage plan’ from different places of the city during a drive continuing for 24 hours till Sunday morning.

DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman said six leaders and activists of BNP and two of Jamaat-Shibir were arrested for planning subversive activities on the first day of the another spell of 72-hour nationwide hartal enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance alongside its ongoing countrywide nonstop blockade.

In a statement, BNP joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed, on behalf of the alliance, announced the shutdown on Friday.

The shutdown was enforced demanding a fresh national election under a non-party administration.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia called the indefinite blockade from January 6 as the government did not allow her party and its allies to hold protest rallies in the capital on January 5.