Half-Day Hartal Underway Peacefully in Companiganj

An eight-hour hartal called by the mayor of Bashurhat Municipality Abdul Quader Mirza to press home several demands is being observed peacefully in Companiganj Upazila of Noakhali on Thursday.

The shutdown started at 6:00 am and will continue till 2:00 pm.

Quader Mirza, also the younger brother of Awami League general secretary Obaidul Qader, announced the strike at a press briefing at the municipality office on Wednesday.

The demands include removal of deputy commissioner of the district, superintendent of police and officer-in-charge of the Upazila police station, arrests of some local Awami League leaders, including Companiganj Upazila Parishad ex-chairman Mizanur Rahman Badal.

He also urged all to stop the ill-politics in the district.

Earlier, on January 23, a civil society platform titled ‘Nagorik Samaj’ also called an eight-hour (8:00 am to 2:00 pm) hartal in the Upazila, protesting against ‘derogatory’ remarks on Obaidul Quader's family. Later the strike was called off.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader requested the leaders of the platform to cancel their programme, considering public sufferings.