Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – Law-enforcers removed Hefajat-e-Islam activists from the capital’s commercial hub, Shapla Chattar area, on early Monday.

Lawmen started the drive at about 2.20 am and drove out the Hefajat men from Shapla Chattar area by 3:00 am, firing rubber bullets and sound grenades, police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sources said.

They said some 10,000 law-enforcers including police, RAB and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) took part in the drive that first started from Notredame Collage point then Ittefaq Intersection. The entire area was rocked by gunshots and sound grenades.

Amid the massive drive, the Hefajat men retreated fast and rant into various lanes and alleys in the area although they had first tried to resist the law-enforcers showering them with brick chips, according to reports.

It was not still clear how many Hefajat men were injured in the predawn drive.    

With its tens of thousands of activists, Hefajat began its rally at 3.00 pm on Sunday after the end of its Dhaka Siege and turned it into a sit-in program.

The Hefajat men started gathering in Shapla Chattar and adjacent areas from 11:30 am on Sunday as the government finally allowed the Islamist group to hold its grand rally there at 3:00 pm.

Activists of the group joined the rally from different parts of the country in processions chanting slogans in favour of their demands.

The much-hyped Dhaka Siege programme of Hefajat-e-Islam began on Sunday morning detaching the capital from the rest of the country.

Thousands of activists of the Islamist organization blocked roads at six points — from Abdullahpur to Tongi Bridge, Gabtali Mazar Road to Aminbazar Bridge, Babu Bazar Bridge, Demra Bridge, Kanchpur Bridge and Postagola Bridge shortly before dawn.

They were seen standing with sticks, different types of flags, including the national flag, while some reciting verses from the Holy Quran. Dry food like biscuits and puffed rice along with bananas were being served among the demonstrators.

BBN/SSR/AD-06May13-8:05 am (BST)