The dead were identified as local leader of BNP's youth front Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Jainal Abdein Badainna, 22, Jubo Dal leader Abdul Goni, 28, and local Jubo League (AL's youth front) leader Mozammel Hossain, 28, -- all from Kalarmarchara union in Moheshkhali upazila.

Rajib Barua, a sub-inspector of Moheshkhali Police Station, was bullet-hit in the leg while three other policemen were also critically injured in the clashes that started at 1:00pm.

The injured were admitted to Cox's Bazar Sadar hospital, Moheshkhali Upazila Health Complex and Chakaria Upazila Health Complex. At least 20 houses and 10 shops were also ransacked during the clashes.

The two-hour-long gunfight ensued after a BNP procession came under attack by their rivals at Kalarmarchora Bazar of Moheshkhali upazila at about 1:00pm, reports our Cox's Bazar correspondent referring to the police and locals.

In separate rallies in Cox's Bazar town yesterday evening, BNP and AL blamed each other for the clash.

The transport blockade yesterday hampered normal life and businesses in Dhaka and elsewhere.

The AL-led 14-party combine began the indefinite blockade to realise their demand for the resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of chief adviser of the caretaker government, and electoral reforms including updating the voter list, removal of controversial persons from the Election Commission and cancellation of the polls schedule.

The transport blockade virtually cut off capital Dhaka from the rest of the country and hampered normal life and businesses for the second consecutive day yesterday. Activities in the country's premier Chittagong seaport and land ports in Benapole and Sonamasjid remained suspended while Mongla seaport operated partially.

In the capital, the pro-blockade leaders and activists took to the streets in different areas including Paltan, Muktangon, Bangabandhu Avenue, Noor Hossian Square, Russell Square, Mirpur-10, Gabtoli bus terminal, Kuril rail crossing, Mohakhali, Moghbazar, Jurain rail gate, Jatrabari crossing, Dayaganj bus stand, Sadarghat, Babu Bazar bridge, Motijheel Shapla Chattar, Nawabpur and North-South Road.

As on the previous day, the14-party leaders addressed the gatherings from temporary podiums on open trucks while agitators and artistes sang parodies and danced to inspire the activists and participants.

The speakers demanded immediate resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of chief adviser.

Iajuddin is working in favour of BNP and Jamaat, they said.

Different professional groups like the Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Supreme Court Bar Association and Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad also joined the agitators in the capital.

Former president HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party yesterday staged demonstrations in the city supporting the blockade. Activists of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Communist Party of Bangladesh also took to the streets.

As the examinations at all the educational institutions and movement of the Hajj pilgrims were kept out of the purview of the blockade, vehicular movement was much higher compared to that of the earlier blockades.

A large number of rickshaws and CNG-run vehicles dominated the roads.

However, the number of heavy motorised vehicles was low.

Most of the city's business centres remained closed due to the blockade.

There was partial work in private and autonomous offices and attendance in the government offices was thin.

Our staff correspondent reports from Chittagong: Chittagong Divisional Coordinator of Awami League-led 14-party combine ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury vowed to keep the country's premier seaport standstill until the ongoing political crisis ends.

“All operations barring the loading and unloading inside Chittagong Port and delivery to and from it will remain suspended until the 14-party combine's demands are met,” Mohiuddin Chowdhury, who is also the Chittagong city mayor, said while addressing rallies at different places.

At the pro-blockade rallies held at AK Khan Gate, Nimtala, Barik Building Intersection and Anderkilla, AL Presidium Member Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser and other 14-party leaders addressed.

The city mayor threatened to besiege the office of National Grid of Power Development Board (PDB) at the city's Khulshi area and force suspension of its operation for indefinite period from tomorrow if the PDB authorities there fail to ensure uninterrupted supply of power to the city and its dwellers by today.

Meanwhile, the BNP-led four-party alliance held a rally at Kazir Dewri Intersection yesterday afternoon where former minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Abdullah Al Noman and other leaders spoke.

Noman denounced Mohiuddin Chowdhury for speaking in 'provocative language' on a regular basis and trying to disrupt the port activities.

“His [mayor] role now goes against the people and the greater interest of the country,” Noman said.

Our Dinajpur correspondent adds: At least 15 people were injured in a clash between the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal -- student fronts of Awami League and BNP -- at Thakurgaon Government College yesterday noon, police said.

The clashes erupted when JCD activists hurled brickbats at a procession of BCL that was passing by the Arts Building of the college at 1:30pm, sources said, adding that earlier a BCL leader came under attack by JCD activists.

Shortly afterwards, the activists of JCD and BCL gathered at Chowrasta Moar of Thakurgaon town and engaged in clashes again.

Panic spread among people as chase and counter-chase between the two groups continued for about an hour, witnesses said.

Some 15 people were injured during the clashes as leaders and activists of the rival groups used hockey sticks and traded brickbats and stones.

Later riot police and Rapid Action Battalion brought the situation under control. Police patrol has been increased as a tense situation is prevailing on the college campus and in Thakurgaon town.