BNP and Jamaat-Shibir activists brought out processions at different points in Barisal in support of the ongoing indefinite transport blockade called by BNP-led 20-party alliance yesterday.
The rallies roamed in Hatkhola, Nabagram Road, Kawnia and Kashipur areas yesterday on the eighth day of blockade programme.
Both roads and water ways saw less number of vehicles because of a dearth of passengers, claimed Aftab Hossain, president of city Sramik League and Barisal Bus Owners Association, adding that limited number of vehicles were plying on the long routes.
The disruption in vehicular movement has resulted in a price hike of daily essentials in the city.
Vegetable trader Shah Alam said: “Most of the raw and perishable items come from north Bengal on trucks which are not being able to enter Barisal because of the ongoing blockade. As a result, the price of vegetables and other items are soaring.”
Law enforcers were seen vigilant on the streets in the city.
On Monday night, a Dhaka-bound bus was torched by blockade supporters in Karnakathi area on the Barisal-Banguna connecting road leaving one injured.
Kotwali police station Sub-Inspector Kabir Hossain said as the Dhaka-bound bus Sakura Paribahan, coming from the direction of Barguna, reached near Barisal University, it came under the attack of blockade supporters.
Fire service officials extinguished the flame around 11:20pm, he said.
Md Rana, manager of Sakura Paribahan counter in Barisal said blockade supporters hurled crude bombs towards the Dhaka bound bus (Dhaka Metro-Ba- 4601) while it was crossing a speed breaker in Karnakathi area near the Barisal University campus.
Passengers evacuated the bus quickly, however, Md Swapan, a staff of the bus sustained burn injuries on hands and legs while rescuing a child inside the bus and was admitted to the Barisal General Hospital.