The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Trading at Moulvibazar, country's largest wholesale market, came to a halt yesterday as the businessmen enforced a daylong strike in the old part of the city in protest against an attack on them by miscreants.

Abdur Razzak, President of Moulvibazar Traders' Association, told the New Nation that the businessmen of Moulvibazar, Begum Bazar and part of Chawkbazar went on strike as seven of their colleagues were injured by miscreants at Keraniganj Thursday.

He said miscreants hired by two brothers-Alamgir Hossain and Abdur Rahman-of Keraniganj attacked businessmen during an arbitration called at Keraniganj for realising dues amounting to Tk 2.50 crore.

Alamgir and Abdur Rahman bought goods worth Tk 2.50 crore from different business houses on credit earlier.

As they delayed repayment of the dues, the businessmen arranged arbitration at

Keraniganj to realise the money when the attack took place near the residence of Alamgir.

During the strike, the businessmen downed the shutters of some 5,000 shops, took out procession and held a rally at Moulvibazar road crossing where the speakers demanded the arrest and "exemplary punishment of the culprits" and payment of their dues.

Abdur Razzak said police arrested four persons in connection with the attack and assured the businessmen of taking "necessary steps" for fulfilling their demand.