The nationwide strike by the Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday was marked with vandalism, arson and clashes throughout Bangladesh.
At least eight people were injured. 28 were nabbed for involvement in violence.
The shutdown was called to demand the repeal of the war crimes trials and release of party leaders. Jamaat’s key ally BNP had also backed the strike.
Mymensingh: Up to 10 vehicles were damaged and set on fire in the city after being attacked by a pro-strike procession in the morning.
Kotwali Model Police Station Officer in-Charge Abu Mohammad Fazlul Karim said Islami Chhatra Shibir activists set fire to motor cycles and vans in the Rellir Mor area.
They fled when police approached. However, two including a district Jamaat leader M A Halim were arrested over for the mayhem.
Gazipur: No untoward incidents were reported until 12 noon. Schools, colleges, office, courts, banks, insurance companies and shops were reported open.
Long route bus services were grounded, but rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, three wheelers and minibuses were seen plying on inter-city roads. Trains were also running as usual.
Two Jamaat and Shibir activists were nabbed in the morning while preparing to start a procession.
Joydebpur Police Station OC SM Kamruzzaman said five Jamaat-Shibir men were picked up on Wednesday night on suspicion of trying to cause trouble.
Narsingdi: Police nabbed one Shibir man Nayeem, 25, while torching an abandoned bus from near Shibpur Police Outpost, said Shibpur Police Station OF KM Firoze Al Jalal.
The damaged bus was kept at the outpost premises.
Naogaon: Naogaon Sadr Police Station OC Mojammel Haque said two Shibir men, Sazzad Hossain, 20, and Tanjul Haque, 18, were nabbed while picketing in the city’s Bangabaria area around 7:00am.
Police Superintendent Belalur Rahman said no other untoward incidents had taken place in the district.
Rajshahi University: Shibir activists brought out a procession in front of the police at RU premises. The procession began from the main entrance around 7:30am and ended at Binodpur Bazar. The Shibir men set fire to tyres at Binodpur and staged protests.
Motihar Police Station OC SM Abdus Sobhan said the Jamaat activists took out a procession but all fled at the sight of the police.
Bagerhat: Police nabbed two Shibir men over allegations of vandalism on a media van on Bagerhat-Khulna road.
Bagerhat Police Superintendent Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said a group of 12 Shibir activists damaged a van at Megnitala area around 8:00am and fled. Police later nabbed the two in raids.
No other news of violence in the district was reported.
Lakshmipur: Pro-shutdown supporters exploded two locally-made bombs and damaged vehicles at several places in the district.
Assistant Superintendent (circle) Helal Uddin said Shibir men damaged the vehicle of Agriculture Bank DGM at the city and beat up its driver. Another vehicle was also damaged.
At least five were injured at the scene when police lobbed tear-gas shells to bring situation under control.
On the other hand, shutdown supporters blocked roads with burning tires and felled logs in several places of Hajirpara, Chandraganj, Mandari, Dalalbazar, Joksinbazar, Miar Rastarmatha, Itelpul and bus terminal. They also exploded several hand-made bombs.
Noakhali: Two people were injured in clashes between supporters and opponents of the strike, who exploded bombs and torched three motor-cycle at the time.
Police and witnesses said supporters of the strike lobbed bombs at those opposing it.
Chapainawabganj: Shutdown supporters burnt tyres to set up blocks at several places on Chapainawabganj-Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj-Sonamasjidsthal roads.
Chapainawabganj Sadr Police Station OC Golam Murtaza said one Shibir man was nabbed Wednesday night..
Long distance bus services were grounded, but trains operated normally.
Dinajpur: The shutdown in the district was peaceful with no picketing reported anywhere. Long distance bus service were off the roads but trains operated normally.
Operations at Hily land port was normal, said the port’s Clearing and Forwarding Agent Association General Secretary Abdur Rahman Liton.
Chandpur: Police maintained strict vigil over processions of Jamat and Shibir.
Chandpur Sadr Model Police Station OC Mahbub Morshed said no untoward incidents had taken place anywhere.
Cox’s Bazar: At least nine Shibir men were nabbed while attempting to damage vehicles and attack the police.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Police Superintendent Babul Akhter told bdnews24.com three were held from city, two from Moheshkhali, three from Ukhia and one from Teknaf.
Jamaat had decided for a half-day shutdown in Cox’s Bazar, according to the district Jamaat Secretary GM Rahimullah.
Narail: Two Shibir men were held from separate areas in the city while creating chaos, said Narail Sadr Police Station Sub-Inspector Manik Chandra Shaha.
Rajbari: Two Shibir men from Rajbari Government College Boy’s Hostel and one Jamaat man from Pangsha were nabbed Wednesday night over ‘plots to anarchy’, said Rajbari Sadr Police Station OC Abdur Razzak.
Sirajganj: Sirajganj Sadr Police Station OC Mohammad Rafiqul Islam told bdnews24.com shutdown supporters torched a truck on Sirajganj-Rayganj regional road in Sadr upazila early morning hours. One Jamaat man was nabbed from scene.
According to him, two other Shibir men were nabbed while picketing on Sirajganj-Kazipur road (regional) and city’s Kalibari areas.bdnews24.com
