The nationwide daylong hartal, called by Jamaat-e-Islami protesting the capital punishment against its ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami in the 10-truck arms smuggling case, passed off without any major incident of violence today (Thursday).
In the capital, activists of Jamaat brought out a sudden procession in support of the shutdown in Faser Tek area under Bhatara thana around 7:30am, where they blasted 3-4 crude bombs and moved away from the spot sensing police approach.
However, nobody was injured in the explosions.
No picketing or procession by the party activists was reported from other parts of the city.
Vehicular movement on the streets was almost normal while CNG-run auto-rickshaws and battery-run three-wheelers were dominating there.
However, no long-route buses entered or left the city.
Additional 8,000 policemen were deployed in the capital to ensure security.
Besides, plainclothes police were put on alert with still and video cameras at different strategic points to track down troublemakers examining the footage.
Sporadic incidents of clashes and vandalism were reported from Rajshahi, Natore and Sylhet districts.
Jamaat announced the shutdown programme through a statement on Friday for the last Monday protesting what the party said the government’s design to kill its ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, which was latter deferred to Thursday due to the second phase of Biswa Ijtema and Saraswati Puja.
Besides, Jamaat has excluded Chapainawabganj district from the hartal to let the local Hindus celebrate a religious festival following a request by the community as Hindu pilgrims will arrive at Tortipur in Shibganj upazila on Thursday for Ganga Snan or bathe in the Ganges River, considered holy by Hindus.
Source: UNB Connect
