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Barring several stray incidents, the dawn-to-dusk countrywide hartal called by Awami League led 14-party opposition combine passed off peacefully with no report of any major untoward event, report agencies.
The countrywide 12 hours hartal was called to enforce their demand for immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the cancellation of appointment of the two new election commissioners.
All trains operated normally throughout the country and the water vessels also plied uninterrupted to their respective destinations during the period, concerned sources said.
Officials in the Zia International Airport (ZIA) said all scheduled flights on both domestic and international routes operated as usual.
In Tongi, some 50 people were injured in police action in the morning. Among them, were Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP, and poura chairman Azmatullah.
In Sylhet, at least 10 people, including a local BTV cameraman, were injured when police clubbed a procession of the 14-party combine at Court Point in the city at about 12:45 pm. BTV cameraman Digen Singh was admitted to Sylhet Osmani Hospital with serious injuries.
Sylhet Mayor Badruddin Kamran led a procession of AL that paraded the city streets. Police snatched away a banner from a procession of CPB.
In Rajshahi and Khulna, the hartal was observed peacefully in the two cities. Schools, markets and private offices were closed. Barring rickshaws, buses, trucks and private cars stopped plying during the shutdown.
In Munshiganj, six people were injured when police charged batons on a procession of Gono Forum at Bazar road in the district town.
Local sources said police attacked the procession, led by Gono Forum district president Mohammad Hossain Babul, and charged batons when the procession reached near the cinema hall 'Chhabighar' at about 8.0 am, leaving six people injured. Police also arrested an activist of 14-party alliance from the spot.
Meanwhile, police blockaded an Awami League procession led by AL leader Jamal Hossain at the town's Kachari Square.
A large number of police wee deployed in the town to maintain law and order during the hartal hours.
In Rangpur, AL joint convener Mosaddek Hossain Bablu was injured when the pro-hartal activists clashed with police and Juba Dal members.
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