The interim government suspects sabotage behind the recent spate of devastating fires — the third major blaze crippling Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka — and has warned that those responsible will face a fitting response for such criminal acts.
“Lives and property are being protected with utmost vigilance,” the government said in a statement on Saturday, hours after the fire broke out at the airport. “Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will be met with a swift and resolute response.”
Sixteen people were killed and dozens injured in a fire at a chemical warehouse and a garment factory in the capital’s Mirpur area on Tuesday, while another massive blaze swept through a factory building in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone on Thursday.
The interim government also stated that it was aware of public concern following several major fires reported in different parts of the country and has assured citizens that security services are investigating each incident thoroughly.
“No act of criminality or provocation will be allowed to disrupt public life or the political process,” the statement said.
It cautioned that if the fires were attempts to create panic and division, they would only succeed if fear were allowed to override public resolve.
“If these fires prove to be acts of sabotage, and their aim is to sow panic and division, they will succeed only if we allow fear to overtake our reason and our resolve,” the government said.
The interim administration called for unity, calm, and determination in facing any threat to the country’s democratic process.
“Bangladesh has faced many challenges before, and together we will face any threats to our new democracy with unity, calm, and determination. We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” the statement concluded.
