Hartal observed in Rajshahi, Sylhet

DHAKA: Jamaat-e-Islami observed an 8-hour hartal on Wednesday in 12 districts of Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions demanding release of its central publicity secretary Tasnim Alam and acting secretary general Dr Shafiqur Rahman.

In Rajshahi, Jamaat-e-Islami observed hartal in eight districts of Rajshahi division protesting arrest of its central publicity secretary Tasnim Alam.

Jamaat-Shibir activists hurled two cocktails on a DB police vehicle in Kazla area adjacent to Rajshahi University around 7:15am.

During the time, chase and counter chase occurred between pickets and law enforcers, banglanews correspondent reports.

Later, police fired tear shell and rubber bullets to disperse the picketers. The law enforcer held four persons in the metropolis during the early hour of hartal.

DB police OC Alamgir Hossain told banglanews, “Two police men were injured in the cocktail explosion.”  

In Bogra, police held Bogra district Jamaat Ameer Professor Rafiqul Alam from Dighalkandi of Sadar upazila around 11:30am on Wednesday during its 8-hour hartal.

Bogra Sadar Thana OC Sakir Uddin confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Jamaat-Shibir activists vandalized 14 vehicles during hartal hours in different points of district town, leaving two pedestrians injured.  

The pickets also set fire to tyres in front of Azizul Haque College.

Pickets locked into chase and counter chase with law enforcers in town’s banani area as they obstructed to vandalize vehicles.

Later, police charged baton and fired several rounds of tear shells to disperse the hartal supporters.  

On Monday evening, Rajshahi Jamaat ameer Ataur Rahman and Rajshahi Zone team member Rafiqul Islam, in a statement, called the hartal for Wednesday in eight district of the division.  

Earlier in the morning, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Professor Tasnim Alam from his Uttara residence in the city.

In Sylhet, Jamaat-e-Islami observed a half-day hartal on Wednesday demanding release of its acting secretary general Dr Shafiqur Rahman.

Jamaat-shibir men vandalized bus, truck and some of CNG-run auto-rickshaws by launching sudden attack in eight points of the metropolis around 9:30am.

Besides, they brought out a pro-hartal procession in Osmai Medical College road area around 6:30 am.

During the time, police threw tear shell to disperse the demonstrators that triggered chase and counter chase between them, banglanews correspondent reports.

Hartal supporters picketed in different points including Shahi Eidgah point, Lamabazar, Subhani Ghat, Osmani Shishupark intersection, Kazitola areas.  

Additional police were deployed in the important points of divisional city from early morning.  

Jamaat-shibir men also observed the 8-hour hartal in Habiganj, Maulvibazar and Sunamganj districts.

In Sunamganj, two shibir men including its town unit secretary were held for their alleged involvement in conducting subversive act during hartal hours.

Sadar Thana OC Abdul Awal Chowdhury told banglanews, “ Shibir secretary Asaduzzaman was held from Dhopakhali while another from Maizbari around 10:00a, for creating panic among the people.”

On early Thursday, Rapid Action Battalion arrested acting Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafikur Rahman from his Dhanmondi residence for his alleged involvement in attacking a US Embassy vehicle on December 4.

Sources said he was also arrested in the cases filed for vehicle vandalism in Kakrail area on September 19 and torching vehicle in front of PM office on April 29.

On Thursday, Jamaat-e-Islami unit in Sylhet extended the hartal till 6pm protesting the arrest of its acting Secretary General Dr. Shafikur Rahman.

After observing hartal, Jamaat announced to observe rally on Monday.

But, the rally was foiled as police obstructed them on the day. Later, the party called 8-hour hartal in Sylhet division for Wednesday.   

BDST:  1519 HRS, DEC 19, 2012
Edited by: Rubaiat Saky, Newsroom Editor / SM Salahuddin, Output Editor-eic@banglanews24.com