Report - Daylong Hartal Observed

Day-long Hartal Observed

Hasan Mahmud, Dhaka, 16 August: A dawn to dusk hartal was observed yesterday throughout the country amidst sporadic clashes between the police and the picketers. It was called by the four party alliance protesting against the failure to control the price of the daily commodities. At least four buses were set on fire at different spots.

The supporters of the four party alliance organized a procession in front of their party office and tried to go out, but they were confined by the police. A severe clash took place at about 10 am at Shahbagh. Another procession of the hartal supporters was stopped by the police near TSC area.

At that time they were locked in a clash with police. As a result, several students were injured and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police arrested 30 students from the spot. The picketers broke the glasses of the running busses.

Most of the shops and markets were closed down. The number of vehicles was thin while the government and semi-government offices, banks, garment factories were found open. The classes and exams of various educational institutions were postponed.