CHITTAGONG: Amid a moderately peaceful hartal observed in the port city, police arrested eight pickets from different areas as they tried to obstruct traffic movement.
The district correspondent of banglanews24.com.bd informed that pickets damaged a passenger bus at Barik building crossing in the morning. Excepting this incident, BNP leaders and activists observed a peaceful hartal in the port city.
The loading and unloading of goods were normal at the seaport, but no transport moved out or in the city. Some rickshaws and CNG scooters were seen plying the streets in the city.
Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury, secretary of the city BNP, led an agitation assembly at around 10.30am in front of Nasiman Bhaban, the BNP office in the city.
Most shops, shopping malls, schools and colleges remained closed during the strike hours. Government and private offices opened, but with poor attendance.
Two shuttle trains left for Chittagong University with a very few students. All the academic classes and scheduled examinations of CU were suspended due to hartal.
Railway communications were normal, but inter-district road transport was disrupted.
Syed Mohammad Farhad Uddin, secretary of Ctg Port, told banglanews24.com.bd, “The loading and unloading of imports from 18 ships in general cargo berth and container berth of the port followed normal schedule.
On the other hand, police held Sarfaraz Quader Russell, newly elected councilor of Ward no 39, at around 8.30am as he was leading a procession in Port area. But he was released after an hour.
BDST: 1230 HRS. JUNE 27,2010
RDG/PB/AK/MUA
