Arson attack, clash mark countrywide blockade

New Age Online

The first day of indefinite road, rail and waterways blockade enforced by Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance across the country began with arson attack and clash on Tuesday.The nationwide blockade was announced by the besieged BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday for holding back BNP-led alliance’s planned ‘Democracy Killing Day’ public rally yesterday.In the capital, an ansar member was arson attacked as miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at a police-requisitioned vehicle (locally known as Leguna) at Kadamtali around 5:30am.The victim Md Monwar Hossain, 45, was on duty under Kadamtali police station.He was admitted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.His face, both hands and left leg were partially burnt, our correspondent reported.

No long-route bus moved from or entered into the capital while the train communications were normal, cable TV channels reported.The blockade impacted commuter services in the city. Most of the light vehicles stayed off the city roads while rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws dominated the streets.In Narayanganj, at least 20 people including district BNP president Toimur Alam Khandakar were injured in a clash between police and the party activists at Khanpur in the city Tuesday morning.The police detained five people including Faruk Hossain, joint secretary of city BNP unit, at the spot.Witness said a procession was brought in the area led by Toimur and the city BNP general secretary ATM Kamal around 7:00am in support of the blockade programme.The police intercepted them, said Manjur Quader, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station. He said the BNP men engaged in altercation and scuffled with police.Witnesses said police charged batons and chased them to disperse while the activists hurled brickbats at police. They also blasted 10 to 12 crude bombs.The police also fired bullets and teargas canisters at the activists, claimed ATM Kamal.In Munshiganj, the blockade was passing loosely although Dhaka-bound buses were shut.A few vehicles were plying on Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mawa highways, our Munshiganj correspondent reported. The ferries were sitting idle in Shimulia pontoon lack of vehicles.

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