Killing, stray incidents mark day-long hartal

A transport worker was killed and several others were injured in separate arson attacks in various areas of the country during the nationwide hartal (shutdown), enforced by BNP-led 20-Party Alliance on Thursday.

The alliance called the strike in protest of the gun attack against Reaz Rahman, an adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The hartal was observed on the 10th day of the ongoing indefinite transport blockade across Bangladesh.

The day started with a shocking incident, as a bus helper, Tofazzal Hossain (20), was charred in his sleep after pro-strike activists allegedly set fire to the parked vehicle at Kaliakoir in Gazipur.

When contacted, officer-in-charge of Kaliakoir Police Station Rafiqul Islam said the arson attack was launched on the bus, parked beside Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Mohishbathan Battala area, at about 2:40am.

"The helper was burnt alive, as he was sleeping inside the transport like other nights," he said, adding that they recovered his burnt body after fire-fighters doused the fire.

He also said they have further intensified security on and around the highway following the arson attack.

"A drive is underway to hunt down the culprits, involved in the brutal attack," he added.  

Mofizur Rahman, owner of the bus and president of Sramik League Kaliakoir unit, claimed that the vehicle was torched a day after his anti-hartal speech.

"The bus was used for transporting garment workers," he added.

In Natore, a driver and helper were injured when pickets torched a Rajshahi-bound cement-laden truck on Dhaka-Natore Highway at Ahammadpur in Natore Sadar at around 5:00am.

Talking to the FE, deputy commissioner (DC) of the district Moshiur Rahman confirmed the news, saying that the truck came under a petrol bomb attack when it reached Ahammadpur, as blockaders intercepted the vehicle by laying wooden logs.

The pickets also gave a thrashing to the transport workers before leaving the spot when police came to intervene.

In Moulvibazar, a goods-laden truck was torched in Juri Upazila, as pro-strike supporters hurled petrol bomb at it. The incident took place at about 8:30am when the vehicle reached Bhuiya Bazar area.

Following the attack, police launched a crackdown and arrested 12 supporters of 20-Party Alliance, said OC of Jouri Police Station Hamidur Rahman.

Meanwhile, at least four vehicles were torched at Khilkhet, Science Lab and Dhanmondi in the capital during the strike hours. Besides, crude bombs were exploded by the pickets at Bongshal, Elephant Road, Khilkhet, Badda and Hazaribag. Four unexploded bombs were also recovered from Dhaka University Science Laboratory.

In Brahmanbaria, blockaders exploded several cocktails and damaged some vehicles in Railgate area in the morning. Policemen also arrested six people from the spot.

Incidents of clash, arson attack, detention of opposition leaders and bomb blast were also reported from various districts including Bogra, Gazipur, Sylhet, Comilla, Noakhali, Narayanganj, Bhola, Kushtia, Chittagong, Meherpur, Dinajpur, Laxmipur and Chandpur on the day.   

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