Left parties’ countrywide half-day hartal observed
The half-day hartal called by the Left Democratic Alliance, a combine of seven left political parties, protesting at recent price hike of fuel oils, fertiliser and essential commodities for Thursday, was observed in Dhaka as elsewhere across Bangladesh.
The hartal began at 6:00am ended at 12:00 noon.
The main event took place at Purana Paltan. The strikers observed the strike through blocking roads, and chanting slogans, that ended through a protest rally in presence of huge number of police personnel.
Speakers at the rally demanded immediate reduction in the prices of fuel oil, fertilisers and essential commodities.
They also demanded the resignation of the government.
CPB president Shah Alam said that the government should step down as it failed to control prices of essentials.
Chairing the protest rally, Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Ruhin Hossain said that four Chattra Union leaders were arrested on Wednesday evening at paltan crossing while providing leaflets to people.
‘They are still in the custody of the Paltan police,’ he added.
He demanded their immediate unconditional release.
United Communist League general secreatry Abdus Satter, Socialist Party of Bangladesh leader Bazlur Rashid Firoz and Democratic Revolutionary Party general secretary Mushrefa Mishu, among others, spoke at the rally.
The traffic movement was almost normal in the city except in and areas near Purana Paltan.
No untoward incident was reported.
In Dhaka, LDA leaders and activists were seen picketing at places including Purana Paltan, Matijheel, Shahbagh, Jurain and Mirpur, reports received from the areas said.
Additional police forces were seen deployed at different places of the city.
New Age Staff Correspondent in Chattogram reported that the LDA called half-day countrywide strike for Thursday was being observed in the port city.
The party leaders in Chattogram gathered in front of the New Market area at about 6:00am, Al Kaderi Joy, in-charge of Socialist party of Bangladesh’s Chattogram district unit said.
The party leaders also hold rallies at Kotwali, Firingi Bazar, Station Road areas in support of the strike, he said.
Vehicular movement in these areas was seen less but it was seen normal in the other areas.
Md Jahidul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station, told New Age that no untoward situation occurred during the strike.
‘Additional police forces were deployed at some areas in Kotwali,’ the OC said.
Reports received from Khulna and Jashore said that the hartal was being observed in the districts in a relaxed way.
The government on August 5 increased prices of diesel, petrol and octane by up to 51 per cent, causing further hikes in the essential commodity prices and transport fares.
News Courtesy:
https://www.newagebd.net/article/179320/left-parties-countrywide-half-day-hartal-observed
