DHAKA: Local units of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have separately been observing hartal in four districts and an upazila since Sunday morning amid the BNP called nationwide indefinite blockade.

BNP is observing dawn-to-dusk hartal in Sirajganj, Lalmonirhat, and Patuakhli districts and Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni while a half-day hartal in Pirojpur, beginning from 6:00am.

Banglanews Sirajganj Correspondent reports, BNP men were seen nowhere to picket, stage demonstration, and bring out procession across the district till filing this report at 12:00pm.

No passenger bus was seen moving. However, Ijtema-bound buses were plying. No bus on long-distant route left the bus terminal of the district.

Moreover, police patrolling has been increased on roads and highways.

Hatikumrul Highway Thana sergeant Abdul Gani told banglanews that members of the law enforcing agencies remain alert.

District BNP called the hartal following their clash with police and Chhatra League on Saturday that left 10 people injured.

Banglanews District Correspondent in Lalmonirhat adds, local BNP are observing the daylong hartal across the district since Sunday morning.

No picketing was reported in the district town.

BNP men brought out processions in Barobari and Mohendranagar unions. Hartal supporters have kept Rangpur-Kurigram highway blocked in the area.
 
Buses on long-distant routes are not leaving the district while light vehicles are seen plying there.

Lalmonirhat assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Adibul Islam told banglanews that law enforcers are on alert to prevent any untoward situations.

However, district unit BNP called the hartal demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against over five hundreds leaders and activists of the party.

Banglanews District Correspondent in Patuakhali says, local BNP is observing a dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting the confinement of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to her Gulshan office in Dhaka and the arrests of their leaders and activists across the district as well.

Banglanews District Correspondent in Pirojpur reports, district BNP has been observing a daylong hartal there since the morning.

BNP men brought out brisk processions in the town and vandalized two vehicles during hartal.

The hartal was called as a protest of attacks on its local leaders. They also demanded withdrawal of cases against BNP leaders and activists including BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Banglanews District Correspondent in Feni adds, a daylong hartal enforced by Daganbhuiyan upazila unit of Jubo Dal is underway across the upazila since the morning.

Local BNP called the hartal protesting the confinement of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and the arrests of BNP leaders and activists across the district.

Daganbhuiyan Thana Officer-In-Charge (OC) Abul Faysal told banglanews that additional police forces have been deployed across the district to avoid possible sabotages.

BDST: 1245 HRS, JAN 11, 2015