6-hr hartal observed

The Opposition-called six-hour countrywide hartal yesterday passed off by and large peacefully except in Chittagong but paralysed normal life and economic activities.

At least 50 people were injured in incidents of violence in the port city. No major incident was reported from any other place in the country.

The dawn to noon hartal was called by the BNP-led opposition alliance to protest the government's "unilateral" holding of Chittagong City Corporation elections. In Chittagong, the hartal was for two days - yesterday and the day before.

In the capital, police picked up some opposition activists on charge of explosion of bombs.

Pro-hartal pickets burnt tyres and hurled hand bombs on WASA road, Naya Paltan and Jatrabari areas and in old part of the city. None, however, was injured in the incidents.

Movement of rickshaws was normal. In many areas including Malibagh, Moghbazar, Farmgate, Gulistan and Mohakhali, these created serious jams during the hartal.

Many auto-tempos, minibuses and state-run BRTC buses were seen plying on the city streets during the hartal hours. However, long distance buses and trucks did not ply. Trains, launches and steamers operated as usual.

Sources at Zia International Airport said some international flights changed schedule yesterday.

Trading at Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) remained suspended during the hartal. However, 'electronic trading' in foreign exchange market went on as usual. There were limited transactions in banks.

Educational institutions, private offices, business houses and shops remained closed. Attendance in government offices was thin.

Presence of pro-hartal activists on the streets was negligible and virtually there was no picketing during the hartal.

BNP activists led by party leaders Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Maj Gen (Retd) ZA Khan, Major (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed MP, Amanullah Aman MP, Shamsul Alam Praminik MP and Abdus Salam brought out processions twice from the party central office at Naya Paltan. The processions passed through Kakrail, Bijoynagar and Fakirerpool areas. A rally was also held in front of the party office.

Witnesses said helmeted police and DB police closely followed the processions.

Activists of Jatiya Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote were not seen on the city streets.

Supporters of the ruling Awami League brought out several anti-hartal processions in the city during the shutdown. AL's main procession brought out from Bangabandhu Avenue paraded different streets. Party leader and State Minister Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya led the procession.