DHAKA: Jamaat-e-Islami marked the 1st phase of three-day hartal across the country amid stray incidents of picketing, beginning from 6:00am Thursday to 6:00am Friday.
Leaders and activists of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhattra Shibir brought out processions in Rampura and Chawk Bazar areas of the city.
Jamaat men allegedly used several minor boys to explode a pair of crude bombs in front of a CNG refueling station opposite to the Bhiari (stranded Pakistani) camp at Pallabi in the city, said Pallabi Thana Officer-In-Charge Ziauzzaman.
Confirming the matter to banglanews, he said no casualties were reported in the explosion and none was held in this connection.
In most of the city spots, members of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhattra Shibir have not seen either picketing or bringing out procession yet.
No mentionable incidents of vandalism, arson and untoward situations were reported in the city and elsewhere of the country since the hartal began.
A good number of vehicles were seen plying around the city's main thoroughfares. Commuters were traveling to workplaces on the last working day. Private vehicles were seen running in the city streets.
Government and private offices and educational institutions remained open as usual. Waterway communications remained on schedule. Shopkeepers were seen opening their shops at the different places of the capital.
In Gaibandha, the hartal supporters vandalized around 11 vehicles blocking the roads and highways in Palashbari upazila.
Officer-in-charge of Palashbari Thana Mazibur Rahman confirmed the matter to banglanews.
In Mymensingh, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, district Sangsad brought out a possession against the hartal.
In Barisal, district Awami Leauge, Barisal University and BM College Chhatra League also brought out possession protesting the hartal.
Banglanews Staff Correspondent reports from the city’s Kamlapur Railway Station that all the trains left the station according to the schedule.
However, no bus on long distance-route left the city’s Sayedabad, Mohakhali and Gabtoli Bus Terminals in the day. However, the buses were seen plying in the night.
Security was heightened up across the city. Additional law enforcers took position at the city’s strategic points. Lawmen were seen patrolling on the city streets.
On Wednesday, Jamaat-e-Islami announced the hartal for Thursday, Sunday and Monday minutes after International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) handed down death sentence to its Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami on charges of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
BDST: 0846 HRS, OCT 29, 2014
