Hartal observed in Rajshahi

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Our Correspondent
RAJSHAHI, Dec 4: The dawn to dusk hartal called by Jama'at-e-Islami in protest against the government's decision not to allow Jama'at-Shibir to hold rallies and processions, was observed amid sporadic incidents of violence in Rajshahi Tuesday.
The Jama'at-Shibir activists locked in clash with police at Binodpur in the morning. Pro-hartal Jama'at-Shibir activists blocked Rajshahi-Dhaka highway there by burning tyres early in the morning. They also hurled brickbats and threw several cocktails at police and damaged passing vehicles on Rajshahi-Dhaka highway when police retaliated by firing blank shots and charging batons at around 7-15 am. Soon, RAB joined police and arrested at least two pro-hartal activists from Binodepur area under Motihar thana.
At about 8-15 am, a group of Jama'at-Shibir activists put blockade by burning old tyres at Dewanpara under Motihar thana on Rajshahi-Dhaka highway. They also damaged a number of autorickshaws disrupting traffic movement. However, police and RAB members rushed to the spot and removed the blockade by putting off the fire.
In the morning, the Kasiadanga crossing under Rajpara thana also turned to a battle ground with police and Jama'at-Shibir when pro-hartal activists attacked police with brickbats. Earlier, Jama'at-Shibir activists had put blockade on Rajshahi-Chapaianawabganj highway by burning tyres and woods when police rushed to the spot to douse fire, Jama'at-Shibir activists attacked police with brickbats. Police chased the protesters and rounded up at least five of them from the spot.