DHAKA: A dawn-to-dusk shutdown, sponsored by BNP-led 20-party alliance, observed without any reported violence on Wednesday across the country.

Began at 6:00am, the shutdown, protesting Monday’s attack on BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade in city, was continued till 6:00pm.

However, Dhaka and Chittagong cities remained out of hartal purview for the campaigns of the upcoming city polls.

Sylhet district unit of ruling Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) brought out a possession protesting the hartal.

Unit vice-president Ali Hossain led the possession participated by some 30 activists from Shamimbad area to International University campus riding on motorcycles.

Earlier on Monday, Khaleda’s motorcade came under attack in the city’s Karwan Bazar area during her campaign for BNP-backed Dhaka City Corporations polls contenders that left three people injured.

Following the attack, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed announced a daylong nationwide shutdown at a press brief held at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in city Tuesday evening.

BDST: 1900 HRS, APR 22, 2015
HB/RS/BD/RR

** 20-party daylong hartal underway