Violence marks hartal in dists
Court ransacked in Bogra: Trains detained in Gaibandha: First hartal in Barisal, Patuakhali since govt's takeover: 30 hurt in Netrakona
Star National Desk
Incidents of violence including ransacking of offices and rail-road barricade were reported from several districts on the first day yesterday of the opposition-called hartal.Our Bogra Correspondent reports: A group of pro-hartal lawyers ransacked the court of First Class Magistrate Ahammed Ulla while trial of a case was going on yesterday morning. As the court sat in the morning, some lawyers led by Bogra Bar Association General Secretary AHM Golam Rabbani Khan Roman requested Magistrate Ahammed Ulla to adjourn its functioning in view of the opposition-called hartal. Court sources and witnesses said that as the Magistrate was preparing to adjourn the court, a group of layers rushed into the court and started ransacking it. They broke some chairs and a table. The panicked Magistrate left the court. As the news spread, all other courts were closed within a short while. The Deputy Commissioner visited the ransacked court. According to reports available till 4 pm yesterday, the administration was preparing to file a case accusing 16 lawyers inlcuding Khan Roman and Bar President Razzaqul Haider. Hartal was observed in the district by and large peacefully barring some stray incidents. A bus was damaged at the central bus terminal in the town. Our Gaibandha Correspondent reports: As the death Awami League leader Ivy Rahman spread in the town, leaders and activists Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League poured on town streets in large numbers and brought out processions, chanting slogans demanding resignation of the government. Angry processionists pelted stones and damaged windowpanes and glasses at Gaibandha Head Post Office. AL men put up barricades on tracks and detained a Santahar-bound local train at Badiakhali station and the Padmarag Express at Mohimaganj station. The Station Master at Gaibandha railway station said trains in Railway's Northern Zone were detained at different spots as communication with Lalmonirhat control room was snapped at 10 am. In Polashbari, 11 people were injured in clashes between Awami League and Jubo Dal as their separate processions came closer. Our Netrakona Correspondent reports: At least 30 people including former Awami League lawmaker Mosharaf Hossen, district AL president Shamsuzzoha, vice-president Islamuddin Kala Mia, and general secretary Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru were injured in clashes with police during hartal. Led by Shamsuzzuha, AL and its front organisations brought out a procession from the party office in the morning. Police intercepted it as it reached in the front of BNP office in the town. As the processionists squatted on the road blocking traffic, police went into action ensuing the clash. Police arrested 14 pickets from Satpai, Barabazar, Chalkpara and other areas of the town. Police also beat pickets at Barhatta, Durgapur and Kalmakanda upazila head quarters. BNP also brought out an anti-hartal procession in the town. Hundreds of riot police were on petrol in the town. All offices and educational institutes remained shut and vehicles were off the roads. Our Barisal Correspondent reports: Hartal was observed in Barisal city and others areas of the district for the first time yesterday since takeover by the present government. No major untoward incident was reported. Police have beefed up security in Barisal city and in other towns and areas in the division. Check posts have been set up at important entry and exit points around the city. Plice forces have been deployed at strategic points and establishments including bus and launch terminals, cinema halls, power supply stations, T & T office, Barisal jail area, bridges near the city and the airport. Police Superintendent Mainur Rahman Chowdhury told this correspondent that the measures have been taken to guard against any possible "sabotage or violence" by the opposition political parties and to ensure security of people's life and property. Vehicles and suspected people are being checked at different points in the city. City Corporation Mayor Majibur Rahman Sarwar MP, who is also president of Barisal BNP and minister-in-charge of the district, at a meeting with top officials at the Circuit House Sunday night reviewed the law and order and security situation, officials said. Our Patuakhali Correspondent reports: Hartal was observed in Patuakhali yesterday for the first time since the takeover by the present government. Earlier hartal calls given by opposition Awami League could not be enforced in the district because of resistance by ruling BNP. But it was a different scene yesterday. Hartal was enforced in Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury's constituency as the death news of AL leader Ivy Rahman reached there in the morning. Angry party men brought out a procession from Sadar Road and ransacked some shops, restaurants and tea stalls. Police charged batons and dispersed the processionists when they reached Katpotti intersection.
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