DHAKA: Opposition BNP-led 18-party activists unleashed vandalism, arson and cocktail blasts on Saturday ahead of 72-hour hartal in the capital.

Many cocktails were blasted not only on the roads but also at the premises of residence MPs, VIPs, and Justices and offices of high police official.  

Hartal supporters also vandalized and torched many vehicles in several places of the capital.

Banglanews reporters said hartal supporters exploded 4 cocktails in Uttara, 3 in New Market 4 in Sonargaon, 1 in Malibagh, 3-4 in Gulshan, 3 in Purana Paltan, 5 in Mintu Road, 2-3 in Dhanmondi, 6 in Kakrail, 3 in Motijheel, 4 in Arambagh and 3-4 in Bijoynagar.

On the other hand, a group of picketers vandalized a CNG auto-rickshaw and a passenger bus in Maghbazar area, one private car was vandalized in Malibagh while another seven-eight vehicles were vandalized in Bijoynagar area of the capital.

Besides, the hartal supporters torched a truck and a bus at Farmgate, a private car at Kalabagan.

Confirming the matter Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Ibrahim Fatemi said that additional police forces were deployed in the city to avert further violence.

On Friday, opposition leader Khaleda Zia called non-stop 3-day hartal from 6:00am Sunday to 6:00pm Tuesday to press their demand of restoration of caretaker government.

BDST: 1929 HRS, OCT 26, 2013
AIA/AKA/JCK