Grève générale : affrontements à Chittagong, Rajshahi, Barisal, Dinajpur, Satkhira, Tangail, Patuakhali, Sirajganj – 12 juin 2011

Sporadic clashes mark first day of 36-hr hartal in dists

thedailystar.net

Monday, June 13, 201145 people injured, 80 pickets arrested

Sporadic clashes marked the first day of 36-hour hartal in districts enforced by the main opposition BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami demanding continuation of caretaker government system.

At least 45 people were injured and 8o pickets arrested during hartal hours, reports our correspondents. In Sirajganj, the activists of Awami League and BNP clashed in the town, leaving 20 people injured.

The injured were admitted to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital and other local clinics. Locals and police said district Al and its associate organisations brought out a procession against hartal at around 12:30pm. BNP activists also brought out another procession in support of hartal.

The clashes erupted when the two processions reached in Eliot Bridge area of the town. Both sides used hockey sticks and hurled brick chips at each other during the clash that continued for an hour. Police fired 10 blank shots and tear gas shell to bring the situation under control.

In Patuakhali, Hartal supporters ransacked at least 10 auto-rickshaws in chalk Bazar area at around 11:30am. Five auto-rickshaw drivers were injured as picketers beat them up.

Police said BNP and its associate bodies took out processions at different places in the district town. They also chanted slogans protesting arrest of BNP leader and former minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury in the capital. read more…