20-party hartal passes peacefully in Gaibandha

A half-day hartal, enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance protesting police swoop on its procession, passed peacefully in Gaibandha district today (Sunday). Anisuzzaman Khan Babu, convener of the district unit of the 20-party alliance, announced the shutdown programme from a rally on Saturday afternoon. No picketing by the party activists was seen anywhere in the district during the 6am to 12noon hartal. Vehicular movement was thin in Gaibandha town. No long-route buses left the district headquarters or any entered. A large number of police personnel were deployed to fend off any trouble, according to a news agency.