A half-day hartal was observed in Bhairab and Kuliarchar upazilas yesterday to press the demand for upgrading Bhairab as district and arrest of those who burnt the effigy of President Zillur Rahman in Kishoreganj on November 2.

All educational institutions, business Establishments, private banks and offices in the two upazilas were closed during the hartal enforced by all-party action committee. Attendance at government office and nationalised commercial banks was thin.

The agitating people put up barricades on roads and Dhaka-Sylhet highway, disrupting traffic for eight hours from 6:00am. Besides, train, bus and launch services between Bhairab and other districts remained suspended.

Several processions were brought out at Bhairab and Kuliarchar upazila headquarters during hartal hours. Rallies were also held at

Bhairab and Kuliarchar where the speakers urged the government to immediately declare Bhairab as district.

They also demanded arrest and punishment of those who burnt the effigy of President Zillur Bahman during November 2 hartal in Kishoreganj demanding retention of the district's 'undivided status'.

The speakers threatened to launch agitation programme in the two upazilas if the persons responsible for burning the effigy of President Zillur Rahman were not arrested in the next three days.

On November 5, Bhairab Awami League acting President Haji Siraj Uddin lodged a case with Bhairab Police Station on November 5 against some unidentified people for burning the effigy of the president.

Another case was filed with Kuliarchar Police Station the same day. Abul Hossain Liton, president of Kuliarchar AL, filed the case.