Local BNP will enforce a half-day hartal in the district on Saturday protesting the death of a party man in a clash with cops in Sarishabari upazila on March 26.
The 6am-2pm shutdown is also meant for registering protest against vandalising and torching of a BNP office by Awami League men, police firing, and demand for withdrawing ‘false’ cases filed against the party men.
Belal Hossain, a BNP supporter and a trader of local Aramnagar Bazar, was shot dead and 25 people were injured in a triangular clash among police, Awami League and BNP activists in Sarishabari upazila headquarters on March 26.
The clash ensued when police and Awami League men obstructed some BNP leaders and activists when they were going to Muktijoddha Command Complex to place wreath at martyrs’ memorial.
On March 27, the ruling party activists allegedly vandalised and looted the BNP office at Motherganj and torched the portraits of later President Ziaur Rahman and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
On the other hand, Awami League activists attacked BNP men in Islampur on March 18 when police also opened fire on them, the party said.
