The BCL called the hartal to protest the death of central assistant library secretary and vice-president of MES College students' union Mohim Uddin alias Mohim in Rab custody.

Educational institutions, shopping centres remained closed, while activities in different offices were hampered during the hartal hours.

Academic activities at Chittagong University (CU) were seriously disrupted. CU shuttle trains remained vacant. The BCL leaders and activists put up a barricade at the gate No. 1 of the campus and also stalled the movement of teachers' buses.

However, motorised vehicles plied the city roads after 10:00am, while railway communications also remained normal.

A huge contingent of police was deployed at different key points in the city including New Market intersection, GEC crossing and Bahaddarhat to maintain law and order.

No picketing or procession by BCL activists was reported anywhere in the city during the hartal hours.

The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) nabbed Mohim Sunday evening. He was later killed in a 'shootout' between Rab men and his accomplices.