I he BNP-led opposition alliance yesterday announced a 72-hour hartal across the country from Monday next to press the government to quit power immediately.

The fresh hartal call came at a press briefing held at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia last night.

Following a meeting of the liaison committee of four-party alliance, BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan announced the fresh programme which also includes protest rallies across the country today (Wednesday), demonstrations and processions on Saturday, and torch processions on Sunday.

The 72-hour shutdown programme came following the 60-hour hartal that ended al 6 pm yesterday. Starting at 6 am on Monday (April 9). Ihe 72-hour hartal will come to an end al 6 am on T hursday (April 12).

Mannan Bhuiyan lold newsmen that as the opposition's ultimatum lo the government to quit power by March 30 went unheeded, they hail "successfully" enforced ihe60-hour hartal and also gave a fresh hartal call. "Such programmes will continue till thegovernment resigns."

J P representatives loyal lo Naziur Rahman Manzur participated in the liaison committee meeting last night, f ish.id led IP leader did not attend the meeting.

Ruhul Amin Hovvladar, a JP presidium member loyal to Ershad, told Ihe Daily Star last night that BNP did not invite them to join the liaison committee meeting.

Meniionably, HM Ershad announced inclusion of five J P men loyal lo him in theopposition liaison committee as the previous representatives had expressed iheir allegiance lo other faction ol IP led by Naziur Rahman Manzur.

I eroj Rashid, Maidul Islam, ABM Golam Mostafa, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Golam Sarwar Milon ol Manzur-led IP attended the liaison committee meeting Iasi night.