March 29, 2024, 4:27 pm


Staff Correspondent

Published:
2020-11-13 19:33:48 BdST

Nine Buses Burnt in Serial Arson Attacks in CapitalPlot on to destabilise country


Panic gripped people as miscreants set fire to nine passenger buses in serial arson attacks in the capital on Thursday to destabilise the country.

Police and fire service sources said unidentified miscreants went on the rampage at noon, burning at least nine buses in a preplanned way.

After a lull of many days, city-dwellers witnessed arson attacks on public transport again.

Detective sources said arson attacks on the public transports were carried out by a vested quarter to create unrest in the country.

This quarter earlier tried to cause unrest through vandalism and arson attacks on buses, trains and government properties.

In 2014 and 2015, BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami unleashed a reign of vandalism and arson and carried out subversive acts, killing some 500 people and injuring over 4,000 others, the sources added.

In the wake of the latest arson attacks, security was tightened in the capital to thwart any possible sabotage.

Law enforcers were patrolling the streets in the capital and elsewhere in the country to maintain law and order. They are keeping close watch on many leaders and activists of the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

Police picked up some BNP leaders and activists from different parts of the capital on various charges, police sources said.

Law enforcers were searching vehicles in different parts of the capital.

Police sources said miscreants torched nine buses in Bangshal, Motijheel, Paltan, Shahbagh, Khilgaon, Baridhara, Gulistan and Shahjahanpur areas.

The arson attacks took place between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm, creating panic among city-dwellers.

Being informed, firefighters rushed to the spots and doused the fire, said Russell Shikder, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) control room.

“No casualties were reported in the arson attacks,” he added.

When contacted, Walid Hossain, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said that they identified some of the arson attackers.

“We’re working hard to catch them. “After their arrest, we can know about the miscreants and their aims,” he added.

Replying to a question, he said if the attackers have political identities, it’ll also be known after their arrest.

“It’s being explored if the arson attacks were carried out following the by-election to Dhaka-18 constituency,” he said.

Traffic was not hampered due to the arson attacks on the buses, the officer said.

Abu Bakar Siddique, officer-in-charge of Paltan Model Police Station, said some miscreants torched a passenger bus of Victor Classic Paribahan in front of Ramna Bhaban near the central office of Awami League around 1:45 pm.

Another bus parked near Ananda Community Centre at Nayapaltan was set ablaze, he said, adding that none was injured in the incident.

Mohammad Mamun-Ur-Rashid, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said two buses were torched in front of Aziz Super Market and the National Press Club. One of the buses is of Rajanigandha Paribahan.

Jahid Hasan, an employee of Jom Jom Hotel and Restaurant at Aziz Super Market, said a passenger bus was caught in traffic jam, but suddenly fume of fire was found at the back of the bus.

The passengers rapidly and safely got down from the vehicle. The staff of the market and bus employees poured water to extinguish the fire after collecting water from the market.

After dousing the fire, police took away it by a wrecker, he said.

Shahin Fakir, officer-in-charge of Bangshal Police Station, said a bus of Dishari Paribahan was burned near Babu Bazar Bridge at about 2:30 pm.

He said police were trying to identify the arson attackers.

Rafiqul Islam, inspector (operations) of Motijheel Police Station said some miscreants set a staff bus afire in front Modhumita Cinema Hall around 12:30 pm.

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