RAJSHAHI: A 36-hour hartal, enforced by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is underway in a relaxed mood across eight districts of Rajshahi division since Sunday morning.

Besides, Sunday is the thirteenth day of nationwide road-rail-waterway blockade called by BNP.

Leaders and activists of BNP were seen nowhere to picket across Rajshahi city since the morning. However, supporters of Islami Chattra Shibir, student’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, tried for stray picketing, which was foiled by police.

Shibir-men brought out a procession in Keti area. They also set fire on the road in front of Rajshahi College.

Being informed, a patrolling vehicle of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) rushed there. Shibir-men hurled cocktail targeting the vehicle and fled the scene. No causality was reported.

No bus on long-distance and inter-district routes either left or entered in the city. However, light vehicles were seen plying on the city thoroughfares.

Inter-city and local mail trains are running on schedules.

Business establishments remained closed. Small shops were seen opening. Offices of banks and insurance companies remained open, but less transaction took place.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner (detective branch) Ifte Khayer Alam told banglanews police are on alert. Members of law enforcing agencies remained deployed in the city’s strategic points and roads.

Wherever any untoward situation is taking place police are arriving in the spot immediately, the commissioner added.

Local BNP are observing the hartal protesting the death of a Jatyitabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader in a gunfight between JCD men and RAB in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Friday.

BDST: 1136 HRS, JAN 18, 2015