Shawdesh desk:

A total of 162 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh and 435 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion were deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the latest 48-hour countrywide blockade of road, rail and waterways called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies in the ongoing movement began on Sunday morning.

Shariful Islam, public relations officer at BGB headquarters, confirmed the development this morning.

On Sunday, on the first day of the latest blockade, 23 BGB platoons were deployed in Dhaka and adjoining districts to resist any untoward incident.

The remaining platoons of the border force were deployed across the country along with other forces, the BGB official said.

Members of the paramilitary force have been performing their duties to ensure the safety of lives and property since the opposition parties began observing blockades and hartals since October end.

Along with the BGB platoons, 435 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion were also deployed across Bangladesh.

Among them, 141 patrols teams were deployed in Dhaka amidst increasing arson violence.

BNP and some other parties have already observed blockades in eight phases to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next general election under a non-partisan administration.