August 23, 2003	Saturday	Jumadi-us-Sani 24, 1424

DHAKA, Aug 22: Several thousand people, including businessmen observed a token 10-minute strike in the country’s port city of Chittagong on Thursday, protesting deteriorating law and order in general and violent crimes against businessmen in particular.

The strike was observed in the wake of the abduction and murder of a Chittagong-based businessman and another missing since last month.

However, during the token strike, life in Chittagong city came to a standstill for 10 minutes from noon as people from all walks of life took to the streets, demanding rescue of an abducted businessman, Jamaluddin.

Sirens blared as the clock struck 12:00, prompting people to come out on the streets from their homes and workplaces to join a token strike. They demanded immediate action to stop abductions and extortion.