Miscreants continue to carry out arson attacks on buses and other key locations despite strict measures being enforced by law enforcement agencies.
At least one bus driver has been burnt to death, while another is fighting for his life at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery after miscreants set fire to parked buses. Several others were injured during the attacks.
Police allege that these arson incidents are being carried out under the guise of the Awami League’s so-called “Dhaka lockdown” campaign ahead of the court verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The latest incident occurred early on Friday when miscreants set fire to a parked bus belonging to Holy Child School and College at Shibalaya in Manikganj. The driver, Tabez Khan, 45, who was sleeping inside the bus, sustained severe burn injuries.
Locals reported that Tabez had parked the bus beside the highway and was sleeping inside when the incident occurred around 1:30am near the Folsatia Bus Stand on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. The flames quickly spread in all directions, severely burning the driver.
On 11 November, another bus driver, Julhas Mia, 35, was burnt to death after miscreants set fire to a bus parked in Phulbaria Upazila, Mymensingh.
Meanwhile, a man died on Thursday night after falling into the Turag River while trying to escape the scene following an arson attack on a Kiranmala Transport bus at Mirpur. The deceased was identified as Abdullah Al Saiyaf, 18.
The incident occurred around 10pm at Tamanna Park. Witnesses said that as the bus caught fire, locals chased two suspects. One was caught on the spot, while the other jumped into the river and was later recovered lifeless.
Sub-inspector Anwar Hossain of Shah Ali Police said, “While attempting to flee after setting the bus ablaze, one person fell into the Turag River and was later recovered dead.”
He added that another suspect, identified as Nahian Amir Sani, 20, was caught by locals and handed over to the police.
Amid the growing number of arson attacks, the government deployed 12 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the capital to strengthen security measures and maintain law and order.
Talking to reporters, BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam said that the 12 platoons have been stationed across key areas in Dhaka, including Hotel Intercontinental, Mymensingh Road, Mirpur Road, Rokeya Sarani, Airport, Abdullahpur, Kakrail, Shishu Academy, and the High Court area.
Earlier, the government deployed 14 platoons of BGB in Dhaka and its adjoining districts to ensure the maintenance of law and order.
Another arson attack on railway tracks occurred in Brahmanbaria, disrupting train operations for a short time. The incident took place around 11pm on Thursday near Bhatsala Railway Station in Sadar Upazila.
The Chattogram-bound Mahanagar Express train was stranded at Brahmanbaria Station for about 30 minutes. After midnight, the train resumed its journey.
Records from law enforcement agencies show that approximately 1,677 people were arrested in connection with various crimes over the last 24 hours.
