BARISAL: A dawn-to-dusk hartal, enforced by Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led (BNP) 20-party alliance, is underway in a relaxed mood across six districts of Barisal division since Sunday morning.

Sunday is the thirteenth day of nationwide road-rail-waterway blockade for indefinite period called by BNP.

BNP leaders and activists led-by its city unit president Mujibur Rahman Sarwar brought out a procession in the city’s Kaunia BSCIC area in support of hartal.

The hartal supporters also set fire on the road pouring petrol.

On information, police rushed to the spot, gave them a chase. The protesters escaped the scene, hurling brick chips to the lawpersons.

Later, police seized a motorcycle from the spot.      
 
Police also detained Barisal City Corporation panel mayor Sharif Taslima Poly and her husband while preparing to bring out a procession in C&B area of the city in the morning.

Supporters of Islami Chattra Shibir, student’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, tried to gather in front of the BM College but failed due to police’s presence.

Police detained three people, including two ward-level leaders of BNP, on Saturday night on suspicion of possible sabotages.

Kotwali Thana Officer-In-Charge (OC) Shakawat Hossain confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Members of law enforcement agencies including police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) remained deployed at strategic points across the city. They are patrolling the city’s thoroughfares.


BDST: 1517 HRS, JAN 18, 2015