56 IAB activists held across country

Dhaka, July 9 (bdnews24.com) ? Police have arrested at least 56 activists of Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) across the country while taking out processions to drum up support for its 30-hour countrywide general strike starting from Sunday.

Of those, 27 activists were arrested in Barisal on Saturday, six in Noakhali, 15 in Khulna, two in Natore and six in Munshiganj.

Twelve political parties, mostly Islamist, on June 30 called a 30-hour shutdown for Sunday and Monday to protest the removal of the phrase 'Absolute Faith and Trust in Allah' from the constitution.

The other parties are Khelafat-e-Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Sammilito Olama Mashayekh Parishad, National Democratic Party, Islami Oikya Andolon, Bangladesh Muslim League, Bangladesh NAP, NAP Bhasani, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Islamic Party and Nezam-e- Islami Party.

However, IAB and the other 11 parties in separate press conferences on Saturday announced that they would observe the Sunday's shutdown separately.

IAB chief Syed Rezaul Karim, also known as Charmonai Peer, claimed that the other parties had teamed up with the decision to call strike just for some political gains.

Main opposition BNP and its key ally Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had on Friday extended the support to their 12-party shutdown.

On Saturday, a clash between police and IAB activists in Ashwini Kumar Hall premises in Barisal left at least 15 people, including a police official, injured.

Barisal Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner (AC) Aslam Khan said, "Twenty-seven activists of IAB were arrested after the clash which began following police obstruction to a IAB procession."

AC khan said, "The arrestees claimed that they are IAB activists and students of a madrasa patronised by IAB chief Syed Fazlul Karim."

The injured police official, constable Mohammad Shahjahan, was admitted to the Police Hospital.

bdnews24.com/corr/rm/dd/kms/trb/nir/2345h

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