Hartal cripples Sylhet life

Business establishments remained shut and traffic movement was halted in Sylhet city as Awami Juba League, youth front of main opposition Awami League (AL), enforced a half-day hartal yesterday protesting the killing of Juba League leader Ayub Ali.

Two minibuses, two private cars, some auto rickshaws and rickshaws were damaged during the hartal.

Juba League activists brought out a procession in the city and held a rally at the city's Court Point.

Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor and City AL chief Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran and city and district AL and Jubo League leaders addressed the rally chaired by Jagodish Das, president of Sylhet district Awami Juba League and SCC ward commissioner.

The speakers said the law enforcers are not sincere about arresting the killers, who had attacked Juba League leader Ayub Ali, a young trader, and his companions for protesting extortion by the ruling party backed gang.

On Wednesday night, Ayub and some other traders were injured in an attack by JCD cadres led by Abdul Mannan, General Secretary of ward no 26 JCD, who had demanded toll from the traders the day before.

Ayub Ali succumbed to his injuries at a clinic on Thursday night.