Shops, commercial outlets, and shopping malls across Bangladesh, including the capital, will remain open as usual on Thursday (13 November), the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association announced on Wednesday.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the standing committees of the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners’ Association.

The announcement comes as the banned Awami League has called for a nationwide lockdown on Thursday, raising concerns over public safety. Since the announcement, there have been multiple incidents of arson and explosions targeting buses and vehicles in Dhaka and other areas, causing public fear. 

Witnesses warned that moving on the streets has become risky due to potential attacks.

However, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali sought to reassure residents, stating that the disturbances are being orchestrated via social media and that 552 individuals involved in recent attacks, mostly from outside the capital, have been arrested. 

He urged residents to report suspicious persons and avoid giving shelter to strangers.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam also reaffirmed that the government is on high alert and assured the public that no acts of terrorism will be tolerated. Law enforcement agencies, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have stepped up patrols and intelligence operations ahead of the lockdown. The banned party has also been warned that any public demonstrations will be strictly suppressed.