The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by Islami Chhatra Shibir is underway in four districts of Rajshahi division on Sunday.
The Jamaat-e-Islami student affiliate called the shutdown in protest against the arrest of two of its leaders, demanding their immediate release.
The hartal supporters blocked a road in the Talaimari area of the divisional city and set fire to property in the area around 6am.
Police rushed to the spot and dispersed the Shibir activists. In retaliation, the hartal supporters detonated several bombs in the area.
Long-route vehicles are not plying on the streets but rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and light vehicles are commuting in spite of the unrest, reports banglanews.
Police and Rab personnel have taken position in different key points of city.
Meanwhile, hartals are progressing peacefully in Pabna, Natore and Chapainawabganj districts.
In a drive on Thursday, Rab officers held eight Shibir leaders, including Rajshahi University Secretary Saifuddin Yahiya, from the Malopara area of the town.