CHITTAGONG. Dec 31: Tension mounted in the port city amid Incidents of violence to-, day as (he ruling and opposition parties took to streets In a stand-off over holding of Chittagong City corporation (CCC) polls, due on January 3.

After explosion of bombs and razing of sidewalk election camps by opposition activists at several places, announcements by the ruling AL and the Opposition alliance for holding allies at Laldighl Maidan at the same time tomorrow created panic in the city.

Both the sides claimed that they got permission for rally.

planned earlier.

Police and witnesses said opposition activists during a big anti-polls procession exploded bombs, damaged vehicles and razed some election camps of ward commissioner candidates erected on the sidewalks at Momin Road and in Jamalkhan area.

The procession towards Laldlghi Maidan that started from the Jame Mosque premises after Juma prayers was Intercepted by police at Bokshirhat crossing.

Being obstructed, the demonstrators held a brief rally where opposition alliance leader and Chittagong city unit BNP President Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddincalled called for resisting the farcical' election. The protest march then terminated at Gani Bakery crossing.

Home made bombs were also hurled at a police camp at CDA residential area at about 3 pm today. Bomb were exploded at Chittagong stadium. CCC office premises, election commission office and Lalkhan Bazar crossing last night, police said.

Awaml League also staged a demonstration at Momin Road this afternoon protesting attack

on election camps.

The Opposition alliance earlier announced a two-day "curfew hartal" in the port city from Sunday to resist the CCC polls, scheduled for Monday.

Administration sources said 10.000 policemen, 300 BDR and 150 army personnel will be deployed in the city tomorrow, two days ahead of polls to maintain law and order. The security forces have already arrived. sources said.

They also said that 80 patrol teams will be on duty around 343 election centres.

The panicky situation following frequent hartals have marred Eid shopping in the port city, market sources said.

The businessmen will hold a protest meeting at Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry office at noon tomorrow.

Hartals have created a congestion of ships at the port, sources said.