BNP calls daylong hartal in Patuakhali, Sirajganj today
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Local BNP has called dawn-to-dusk hartal in Patuakhali and Sirajganj districts today (Sunday) protesting the arrest of local party men and filing cases against them, reports UNB.
A press release signed by district unit organising secretary Advocate Majibar Rahman Totan said the daylong shutdown programme would be observed in Patuakhali in protest against the filing of a 'false' case against the BNP men.
Police Friday filed a case with Patuakhali Sadar Police Station against 84 BNP leaders and activists, including its district unit general secretary MA Rob under the Explosives Substances Act on charge of vandalising three vehicles.
In Sirajganj, district BNP president Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, also an adviser to the BNP chairperson, announced the hartal Saturday noon protesting the arrest and attack on BNP activists.
Witnesses said the BNP men brought out a procession in the district town Saturday morning in support of the nationwide indefinite blockade enforced by the 20-party alliance.
As police obstructed the procession, the BNP activists threw brickbats at the law enforcers and blasted crude bombs.
Police also fired teargas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
At one stage, local activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jubo League (JL) swooped on the BNP men, leaving 10 injured.
Police also arrested seven BNP activists from the spot.
The officer-in-charge of Sirajganj Sadar Police Station confirmed the incident.