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18 vehicles torched centring hartal on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Narayanganj
By Shamima Rita, Narayanganj.
Published at 11:32 am March 29th, 2021
A total of 18 vehicles were set on fire on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Narayanganj centring the hartal called by Hefazat-e-Islam.
At the same time, 10 members of police were injured during the violence, Siddhirganj police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moshiur Rahman said while confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Monday.
The OC also said police fired some 4,000 rounds and nearly 150 teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
“Police is now preparing to file a case in connection the incident,” he added.
Hefazat-e-Islam enforced the countrywide dawn to dusk general strike on Sunday, protesting the killing of its activists by police and the attack on them by supporters of the ruling party on Friday, during their demonstrations against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
Of the 18 vehicles torched, 9 were large trucks, 5 covered vans, one small covered van, one BRTC bus, and one microbus.
Apart from that, more than 100 vehicles, including a car of news channel News24, were vandalised.
Earlier on Sunday morning, Hefazat activists took position on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in support of their hartal and clashed with the law enforcers, leaving at least 30 to 40 people injured.
During the hartal, three vehicles were set ablaze by the strike supporters. The arson attacks caused the suspension of traffic movement in the area.
Police said the movement of vehicles resumed after the hartal supporters left the highway around 6:30pm on Sunday.
But, suddenly a group of miscreants unleashed mayhem and torched vehicles, creating panic among transport workers, commuters, and travellers.
The OC said 15 vehicles were set on fire from Signboard to Shanarpar areas at night.
He also suspects that BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists might have carried out the arson attacks on the vehicles after the hartal hours under the banner of Hefazat.
It was learnt that three people, including a medical doctor, sustained bullet injuries during the clash between Hefazat supporters and members of law enforcement agencies.
The injured are now being treated at different hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
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