Half-day hartal underway in Rangpur

RANGPUR: The half-day hartal, called by the district Chhatra Dal, Juba Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal demanding release of central leaders, is underway in the district on Sunday.

It was seen on spot visit that the markets, tea stalls, shops and restaurants are remaining closed during the hartal hours.

However, the vehicular movement in both local and inter routes are normal.

The BNP men tried to bring out a procession from in front of their Ground Hotel crossing office at about 8am. But, they could not bring out it due to police obstruction.

A good number of police personnel have been deployed in different points to maintain law and order situation.

These three front organizations of opposition BNP enforced a half-day hartal in the district demanding immediate release of their leaders.

Earlier on June 15, four BNP leaders of its three front organizations were shown arrested at the gate of Kashimpur Central Jail in a case filed for killing a driver by torching a bus at city’s Khilgaon on April 21.

They are: Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal President Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, its General Secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Safu, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and Jubo Dal General Secretary Saiful Islam Nirob.

Police re-arrested them after they were released Thursday night in an arson case filed for torching a bus in front of Prime Minister`s Office during hartal hours of April 29.

Later, they were produced before a Dhaka court and sought a 10-day remand in the case.

Metropolitan Magistrate Harun-or-Rashid fixed June 20 for hearing the remand prayer.  Later, they were sent to jail.

Bus driver Badar Ali Beg, 48, was burnt alive while asleep inside his bus on April 21 in city.

BDST: 1011 HRS, JUN 17, 2012
Edited by: Maria Salam, Asst Output Editor