Curfew relaxed for three hours; no untoward incident reported

Dhaka, Aug 23 (UNI) An indefinite curfew imposed last night to contain anti-government student protests in Bangladesh was relaxed for three hours this afternoon, allowing people to finish off their urgent works.

No major untoward incident happened during the curfew hours as Army, Rapid Action Battalion and police patrolled the streets in capital Dhaka and five other major cities.

Witnesses said thousands of people stranded at different places by the sudden imposition of the curfew from yesterday night came out on the streets after 20 hours to reach their desired destinations or attend their urgent business and do their small shopping.

The Dhaka streets were quiet and looked deserted during the curfew hours. Trouble-torn Dhaka University was also calm as students who led the protests for three days against army beating of their fellows last Monday left their dormitories in compliance with the government order.

All government, semi-government and autonomous offices in Dhaka and five divisional headquarters were closed today.

The witnesses said law enforcers using microphone asked people to stay indoor and all modes of vehicles to stay off the streets.

The law enforcers allegedly beat up pedestrians and three-wheeler rickshaw pullers for violating the curfew.

Journalists and press photographers were also assaulted by security personnel for failing to produce their curfew passes. The Dhaka Reporters Unity and the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh condemned the beating up journalists on Wednesday-Thursday by law enforcers during the curfew hours.

Although capital Dhaka was quiet but chase and counter-chase between police and pickets took place in northern Rajshahi town.

Like yesterday, the mobile operators decided to suspend their networks during three hours' curfew relaxation period in accordance with the government's order. Unofficial sources indicated that mobile network is kept suspended so that anti-government activists can not reorganize them.

All political activities remain banned under the state of emergency declared on January 11.

Information and Law Advisor Barrister Mainul Hosein has advised print and electronic media to play responsible role in publishing and broadcasting news under the state of emergency.

UNI