CHITTAGONG: Police in a nightlong drive arrested 16 leaders and activists of BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami in Chittagong.

Among the detainees, three were BNP activists and 13 from Jamaat and its student affiliate Islami Chhatra Shibir.

District additional police super (special branch) Mohammad Naimul Hasan told banglanews that they nabbed 16 people in the drives conducted in Mirsarai, Sitakunda, Satkania and Lohagara Upazilas of the district between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

However, the police have been conducting several drives across the district to thwart any violence during the nationwide hartal and blockade sponsored by BNP-led 20-party alliance.

BDST: 1456 HRS, FEB 08, 2015