Mymensingh: Police arrested the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Mymensingh city unit president Shafiqul Islam and five others on Saturday and early Sunday.

Five of the arrested were held in a case filed under explosive substances Act.

A total of 96 BNP leaders and activists were indicted in the case that was filed after BNP activists allegedly hurled four crude bombs on a police team that hindered a pro-hartal procession on Saturday evening, said police. 

Mymensingh police officer-in-charge Abu Mohammad Fazlul Karim said the clash began when police on Saturday stopped a procession led by Mymensingh district BNP (South) president Mosharraf Hossain at Paira Chattar area in the town.

BNP activists threw stones and four crude bombs from the procession, he added. 

Police shot eight rubber bullets and dispersed the procession, he also said.

At least five BNP leaders and activities were injured during the rush.

Police held Shafiqul Islam in his Shanki Para residence in the town at about 3:00am on Sunday.

District Juba Dal joint secretary Didarul Islam Raju, activists Noman, Shohag and Hanif were arrested from near the party office on their way home in the evening just after the procession.

Earlier Town unit Sramik Dal president Zillur Rahman was picked up on Saturday afternoon.

District Chhatra Dal president Rokanuzzaman Sarker, vice-president Tanvirul Islam Tutul and organising secretary Zoboyed Hossain Shakil were also named in the case. 

No pickets were seen on the roads and highways on the first day of 72-hour hartal called by 20-Party Alliance. Shops were closed. Public transport and private cars remained off the roads and highways, though goods-laden trucks and auto-rickshaws were available. No long-route buses left Patgudam inter-district and Maskanda bus-stands. Train services were normal with some malfunction in timetables.

Police forces were deployed in different parts of the town to fend off 20-Party activities.