Half-day hartal in Fakirhat passes off peacefully

BAGERHAT, Mar 19 (UNB): A half-day hartal enforced by local Awami League (AL) in Fakirhat Upazila protesting the death of Sarder Niamat Hossain, the ruling party-backed chairman candidate in the upazila polls, in a clash with BGB members passed off peacefully Wednesday.

Business establishments kept their shutters down while vehicles remained off the roads during the hartal hours. However, there was no report of any untoward incident.

Niamat, also former upazila chairman, suffered injuries during the clash between his supporters and members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Satshika of the upazila on February 27 during the second phase upazila polls.

Later, he died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital in the capital Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, the ruling party leader was laid to eternal rest at his family graveyard at Satshika village following two namaz-e-janazas Wednesday morning.