DHAKA: The hartals, separately called by 20-party and district JCD, are underway in the Pabna and Noakhali districts on Wednesday morning amid stray incidents of violence.

Banglanews Noakhali correspondent reports: Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders-activists blasted seven cocktails on Judge Court area of the district town from a pro-hartal procession in the morning.

Following the blast, panic prevailed in the area. On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control.

No heavy vehicle was seen on the roads. 

JCD called the 24-hour hartal in protest against the confinement of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and arrest of its joint secretary general M Shahjahan, also district BNP president.

Moreover, police detained 20 leaders-activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP in separate drives at different places apprehending subversive acts.

Confirming the matter, District Police Super (SP) Ilius Sharif told banglanews that drives will be continued to avert any kind of sabotage.

Banglanews correspondent in Pabna reports: The dawn-to-dusk hartal, called by the 20-party alliance, is progressing in the district protesting the arrest of three leaders including district Jamaat Ameer Abdur Rahim.
 
No untoward incident was reported.

Additional police force remained deployed at important points of the town. Members of police, RAB, BGB are patrolling in streets.

BDST:  1049 HRS, JAN 14, 2015