Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- Bangladesh has been placed on high alert ahead of the International Crimes Tribunal-1's (ICT-1) pronouncement of the verdict date on Thursday in a case against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and two others over crimes against humanity during last year's July uprising.

The tribunal fixed the date on October 23 after the prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments before the three-member ICT-1 headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

Tensions have escalated across the country over the tribunal's announcement of verdict date as the Awami League called for a nationwide 'lockdown' on Thursday through social media in protest against the trial.

In the lead-up to the verdict date, several incidents of arson and crude b...