Dhaka, October 28: A 48-hour nationwide strike in Bangladesh called by transport workers demanding amendments to the "Road Transport Act 2018" threw normal life out of gear across the country on Sunday.

No buses plied in capital Dhaka, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded, reports Xinhua news agency. However, rickshaws, autos and private cars were seen on the city roads.

On Saturday night, workers announced they would suspend transport operations for two days beginning from Sunday morning. The Road Transport Act 2018 was passed last month with provisions for stringent punishment to traffic offenders. Haryana Roadways Strike: Employees Begin 2-Day Protest, Road Transport Hit.

The Act, which awaits presidential approval before it officially becomes a law, stipulates that traffic offenders will risk being sentenced up to five years or fined 500,000 Bangladeshi taka ($5,910) or both.

The country's existing transport law entitled the maximum penalty of three years behind bars with the provision of bail. The move comes in the wake of countrywide student protests after two students died and nine others were injured after they were run over by a bus in July.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2018 03:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).