Dawn-to-dusk hartal passes off peacefully

Our Correspondent: RAJSHAHI, JAN 6: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by BNP led 18-party alliance passed off peacefully excepting chase and counter chase with police in Rajshahi today. From early in the morning, movement of all sorts of vehicles except rickshaws and battery operated autos remained off the road. However, the trains including intercity ones departed from Rajshahi railway station in due time. The markets remained closed. The government and non-government offices, banks and financial institutions remained open but no works were held there. All city educational institutions including Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi College, Rajshahi Medical College, New Government Degree College, Rajshahi Women's College and Rajshahi City College remained closed during hartal hours. Leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir took out procession and put barricade on the road by putting logs of tree at Kedur More area on old Rajshahi-Dhaka highway when police chased them and the Shibir retaliated with brickbats. Shibir cadres damaged two motor vehicles by breaking glasses. They also burnt tyres on roads at Binodepur and Kasiadanga areas of the city. Police and members of RAB rushed to the spot and chased the Shibir agitators. BNP central joint secretary general Mijanur Rahman Minu alongwith BNP leader Mosaddeque Hossain Bulbul and others took out a procession from Rajarhata area. While the procession reached near Sonadighi crossing, police intercepted it and the processionists sat down on the road. Later on, police forced them to leave the place when Minu and his supporters took shelter at party office at Kabil Mansion of the city. Police cordoned the party office until evening.