Throwing cocktails and burning cars in the capital the night before the strike! Scattered clashes were reported during the strike

The Dhaka Times Desk Morning-evening hartal called by 18-party opposition alliance is being celebrated across the country to protest the increase in fuel prices. The day before the hartal, the strikers vandalized cars and burnt cars in the capital.

At least 6 vehicles were reported to have been set on fire the night before the strike. Someone threw a cocktail at the residence of the VC of Dhaka University. However, the VC is not in the country. But no one was injured. Police vigil has been increased. On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami held a procession in Rajarbagh police line area yesterday. Shortly thereafter, a petrol bomb attack was carried out on a passenger bus. Clashes were also reported in other parts of the country. Especially when Jamaat-e-Islami marches, there are clashes with the police. However, massive security personnel have been deployed in the capital. It is said that this measure has been taken so that no striker can create disorder anywhere.

Police stationed themselves at various points of the capital from Sunday morning to avoid chaos during the hartal. However, in the first hour of the strike, a bus was set on fire in Mirpur. Strikers clashed with the police in Tejgaon and Panthpath. Besides, there were reports of scattered marches in support of strike in Oligli at different places. Police arrested two people from Farmgate area. Like other hartals, law and order forces have taken security measures outside the BNP office in Naya Paltan. However, there was no activity of the strikers in the morning. BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told reporters, "This hartal is in the interest of the people. The news I have received from all over the country, people everywhere have supported this strike."

It is to be noted that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia held an emergency meeting with the party leaders immediately after the government increased the price of fuel oil on the night of January 3. The next day, Tariqul Islam, a member of the standing committee, announced the strike at a press conference at the BNP central office.