Online Desk: A total of 230 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the latest 48-hour countrywide blockade of road, rail and waterway called by the BNP and like-minded opposition parties is underway since this morning.

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

Today, on the first day of the blockade, 28 BGB platoons have been deployed in Dhaka and adjoining districts to resist any untoward incident.

The remaining 202 platoons of the border force have been deployed across the country along with other forces, the BGB official said.

Members of the paramilitary force have been performing their duties to ensure safety of lives and properties in the country since the opposition parties began observing blockades and hartal from the end of last month.

BNP and like-minded opposition parties called the blockade after the general election schedule was announced by the Election Commission (EC).

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

The blockades have been marked by incidents of arson attacks and violence with poor public response to the street programme.