47 demonstrators arrested in Ctg

Dhaka, July 10 (bdnews24.com) ? Law enforcers have arrested 47 supporters of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) from different parts of the port city.

They were arrested from Dewanhaat, Bahaddarhat and EPZ areas between 5:30am and 9:30am on Sunday, the first day of the 30-hour countrywide shutdown, police said.

Party general secretary Jannatul Islam, however, put the number of arrestees at 118.

Twelve Islamic parties, including the IAB, enforced the hartal demanding restoration of 'Absolute Faith and Trust in Allah' in the constitution and dropping of secularism from it.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Tanvir Arafat told bdnews24.com that eight supporters were picked up from Dewanhaat intersection around 5:30am as they tried to take out a procession.

Eight more were arrested around 9:30am as they brought out a procession. Police also cordoned off its party office at Azma Complex.

Chandgaon police sub-inspector Mohamamd Monir said 15 hartal supporters were arrested when they took out a procession carrying sticks.

Sixteen activists of the party were arrested from Chittagong EPZ area around 8:30am.

The IAB general secretary threatened to announce harsher programmes if the arrestees were not released immediately.

Hartal was observed in a relaxed manner in the city as a larger number of vehicles plied the roads.

Activities at Chittagong Port were as usual, said port secretary Syed Farhad Uddin.

bdnews24.com/mu/cm/rrd/mi/pks/sam/2125h

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