CHITTAGONG. Nov 10: At least 20 people including five policemen were injured in sporadic incidents of violence that triggered a tense situation in the port city today, the second day of Opposition called hartal, police and witnesses said.

The injured police personnel were admitted to police hospital and others in private clinics.

Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police Kutuour Rahman said that 50 pickets were arrested from different places of the city today.

Police said a garbage carrying vehicle of Chittagong City Corporation was damaged by pro-hartal activists at around 11 am at Bahaddarhar crossing.

Police soon chased the activists who hurled a cocktail injuring five policemen. Police then charged batons, fired tear gas shells and brought the situ-

ation under control. Twelve pro-hartal activists were arrested from the spot.

BNP later alleged that nine of its activists were hit with bullets when police opened fire on them at Bahaddarhat. But the police commissioner denied firing by police.

Po'^e and witnesses said iin-ueris of chase and counter chase brick-bating between pro-arid anti-hartal activists took place at Muradpur. Alankar Cinema Crossing, Station Road and Nandankanon areas in the port city.

BNP and Awaml League held separate rallies and brought out Successions in the city, — the ormer supporting the hartal and the latter opposing it.

In Chittagong port, partial cargo handling contlnuea today as delivery of goods to and from the port remained suspended. Port official said. However, unloading of foodgrains from ships and their despatch to other parts of the country through river routes continued, they said.