10 vehicles torched on highways in Narayanganj

At least 10 vehicles were set on fire by Hefajat-e-Islam activists on Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Sylhet highways in Narayanganj this evening.

The vehicles were torched in different areas, including Shimrail, around 6:15pm. Vehicular movement on the highways has been closed for more than 14 hours since the morning.

Witnesses said law enforcers dispersed the protesters from the highways after 5:00pm.

Later, Dhaka-bound vehicles started plying the highways.

However, as soon as law enforcers had left the spot, the protesters blocked the roads again, creating another gridlock.

At one stage, the picketers started hurling brickbats at vehicles, witnesses told our Narayanganj correspondent.

Law enforcers then chased the demonstrators and tried to disperse them once again, resulting in a clash.

During the chase and counter-chase, protesters set fire to at least 10 vehicles, including trucks and covered vans, witnesses said.

Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahida Barik said 10 to 12 vehicles were set on fire and many cars were vandalised during the hartal since the morning.