A 48-hour hartal, enforced by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties protesting the general election schedule, began on Sunday amid some sporadic violence.

This is the first hartal being observed by the opposition parties since the EC announced the polls schedule.

BNP, Jamaat and other opposition parties called the hartal after they had earlier observed five countrywide blockades of roads, rail and waterways.

The presence of law enforcement personnel at several points in Dhaka is higher today compared to the previous blockades.

Rickshaws are dominating Dhaka streets while a few private vehicles are on the road.

Arsonists set seven vehicles on fire, including a passenger train, in Dhaka and across the country from 7pm on Saturday to and 6am on Sunday.

Three buses were torched in the capital's Gulistan, Dhanmondi and Mirpur areas last night.

One bus each in Cumilla and Chattogram and a pickup van in Joypurhat were also set on fire ahead of the hartal.

Arsonists set three compartments of 'Jamuna Express' train on fire in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur early today.

Miscreants exploded three crude bombs in front of the residence of Dhaka University vice chancellor last night, spreading panic among students.

A total of 460 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country to maintain law and order