21.   From Sunday, strike hours would be scaled down gradually in capital Dhaka and only half-day strikes would be observed elsewhere, she said.

22.   A complete strike was also observed in the nearby city of Hyderabad, residents said.

23.   Activists toured the streets in cars shouting messages from loudspeakers urging people to observe the strike.

24.   But the government has pledged that anyone observing the strike or handing out leaflets for it could be shot.

25.   But the government has pledged that anyone observing the strike or handing out leaflets promoting it could be shot.

26.   During a previous strike in February, the Maoists torched a bus, killing five civilians, because the driver was not observing the strike.

27.   The strike also was observed in Chittagong, in Khulna and in Sylhet.

28.   The strike also was observed in the southeastern port city of Chittagong, in Khulna and in Sylhet.

29.   Traders observed a strike on Sunday called by League president Nawaz Sharif, while the Jamaat joined the fray with an attempted march to the capital.

30.   It has also warned public transport operators they could lose their licenses if they observe the strike.