Sylhet (Bangladesh), Jan 14: Schools and shops were closed and vehicles stayed off the streets in this northeastern Bangladeshi city today to honour a general strike called to condemn this week's bombing of a Muslim saint's shrine. Three people were killed and 35 others injured in late Monday's blast that ripped through the 700-year-old shrine where about 20,000 people gathered to mark the anniversary of Hazrat Shahjalal's death in 1346. Police detained 24 suspects for questioning last evening, said an official who refused to give further details. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast. Today's eight-hour strike sent buses and vehicles off the streets and shut down shops and schools throughout Sylhet City, 190 km northeast of national capital Dhaka. It was sponsored by the Awami League, the largest opposition party in this Muslim-majority country. The party has alleged that security was lax for the celebration.
Security forces patrolled deserted streets fearing violence during the strike a common form of protest in Bangladesh but there were no immediate reports of clashes.

Bangladeshis gather at the shrine on Jan. 12 each year to pay respect to Hazrat Shahjalal.

Bureau Report