The strike enforced by Hifajat-e-Islam apparently failed as vehicular movement was normal across the country while government, semi government and private offices remained open as usual during the strike.
People said the countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike called for Sunday failed to make an impact on public life in the capital and other parts of the country.
However, at few places, fanatics in association with BNP and Jamaat activists attempted to disrupt public life by putting barricade on roads, and torching public transports and government offices.
But police successfully foiled their plans by taking prompt action against the arsonists.
Witnesses said the number of private vehicles on the streets was lower in the morning but increased by the afternoon.
During visits to several spots, including Hatirjheel, Rampura, Khilgaon, Paltan, Shahbagh, Nilkhet, Elephant Road, Dhanmondi, Shukrabad, Shyamoli, Kalyanpur, and Gabtali, journalists found that the movement of people and transports were normal.
Members of the law enforcement agencies said they were working to deal with any unpleasant situation.
According to them, strict security measures were taken across the country while Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and RAB personnel were kept on alert.
Members of the intelligence agency were also on the street.
Most Islamist groups, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh (Charmonai) and Jamaat-e-Islami, extended ‘moral support’ to the Hifazat's strike. BNP also supported the strike but showed no activities on the street.
The activists of BNP and Jammat under the banner of Hifazat-e-Islam went berserk in Brahmanbaria as they attacked Zila Parishad, district Awami League, Press Club and municipality offices during hartal.
They vandalised and set fire to a number of government offices.
Hartal supporters clashed with law enforcers in Shanarpar area on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Narayanganj. They vandalised and torched several vehicles, including buses.
In Chattogram, Hifazat leaders and activists staged a protest taking position on roads in Patiya Upazila. Around 3,000 Hifazat men took to the streets, suspending vehicular movements since morning.
In Rajshahi, Hefazat men set fire to two BRTC buses at a terminal in the morning.
At least seven buses were torched at different parts of the capital and Rajshahi since Sunday morning.
Two trucks, a bus and a covered van were torched in the capital's Signboard's Kachpur area.
