5 vehicles torched in Khagrachhari on first day

At least five vehicles were torched in Khagrachhari yesterday, the first day of 36-hour roads and waterways blockade programme enforced by Democratic Youth Forum.
The forum, a youth organisation of United Peoples' Democratic Front (UPDF), observed the programme in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts demanding stoppage of the hearing of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission.
They also demanded withdrawal of the land commission Chairman retired Justice Khademul Islam.
Meanwhile, the forum yesterday observed a 12-hour blockade in Bandarban to meet the same demands.
In Khagrachhari, Abdus Salam, acting superintendent of police, said criminal set fire to a pick-up van and a mini truck in Pislatola area of Manikchhari upazila at around 4:30am, reports our correspondent.
Picketers torched two motorcycles and a Jeep in other upazilas of the district.
The supporters of the forum burnt tyres at different places in the district town during the blockade that began at 6:00am.
Additional police have been deployed in the areas to avert any untoward incident, said Salam.
Transport movement remained suspended while no long-route buses left or entered the two districts.
Despite the protest, the commission held its hearing in 33 land dispute cases.
According to our Rangamati correspondent, the blockade programme passed off peacefully yesterday.
All types of vehicles went off the roads and business establishments remained closed. Water vessels also remained suspended on the first day of the 36-hour programme.
Functions in the District Judge's Court and banks were almost halted during the shutdown.