Dhaka: Police arrested 12 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-Shibir and Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for ‘sabotage plan’ from different places in Dhaka during a drive continuing for 24 hours till Wednesday morning.

DMP deputy commissioner (media) Masudur Rahman said seven leaders and activists of BNP, four of Jamaat-Shibir and one of JMB were arrested for planning subversive activities on the fourth day of the 120-hour nationwide hartal, enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance, alongside its ongoing countrywide indefinite transport blockade.

While its 72-hour nationwide hartal was scheduled to end at 6.00am Wednesday the alliance on Tuesday extended it by 48 hours till 6.00am Friday.

The shutdown that began at 6:00am on Sunday will now end at 6:00am on Friday.

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