Traders observe hartal, lay siege to police station

Traders of Shahzadpur upazila in Sirajganj yesterday bring out a procession at the upazila headquarters, left, and besiege the local police station protesting deterioration of law and order in the upazila and demanding security of life and property. Photo: STAR

Hundreds of traders of Shahzadpur upazila in Sirajganj yesterday observed a half-day hartal and laid a siege to local police station protesting deterioration of law and order in the upazila.
They also took out a procession at the upazila headquarters and held a rally demanding security of life and property.
Addressing the rally, the traders blamed the law enforcers for deteriorating the law and order situation in the upazila. Criticising the performance of policemen, they said anti-social activities like robbery, extortion, snatching, kidnapping and harassment of schoolgirls by delinquents are on the rise in the upazila.
Referring to March 23 incident at Dariapur market, the traders said criminals looted seven shops at the market, but police are yet to act against the criminals.
They alleged that criminals ransacked three shops at manirampur Bazar on March 28 due to poor vigilance of the law enforcers.
Besides, gambling and obscene dances have been arranged at jatra at Chithulia Bazar, but police are indifferent to the anti-social activities, the traders alleged.
They urged the local administration to take punitive actions against the delinquents who tease their girls on their way to schools.
The traders also gave a seven-day ultimatum to improve law and order in the upazila. Otherwise, they threatened to launch a tougher agitation.