154 arson attacks in 17 days across Bangladesh

Staff Reporter :
About 154 arson attacks have been occurred across the country from October 28 to November 13, the 17 days of strikes and blockades called by the BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami as part of their anti-government movement, according to fire service.

A press release issued by the fire service in this regard disclosed the information on Tuesday.

According to press release, the Fire Service and Civil Defence was informed about 154 arson attacks across the country in the last 17 days. Of the total attacks, 116 occurred in Dhaka division, including 82 in the capital city.

Fire service statistics showed that five persons were injured and two firefighters were assaulted while discharging duties.

After analysing the data collected from across the entire country, the Fire Service and Civil Defence said that 25 of the 64 districts had experienced arson attacks where different structures and vehicles were set ablaze. No such incidents were reported in the remaining 39 districts.

The highest number of arson attacks took place in Dhaka and none were reported in the Sylhet Division, the fire service said in a statement on Tuesday.

Gazipur reported the second-highest cases of arson attacks, with most of them taking place at night.
The arsonists set fire on buses, trucks, private cars, microbuses, covered vans, ambulances, autorickshaws, and even a fire service water tanker.

Most of the arson attacks occurred at night, particularly between 6 pm and 6 am, according to the fire service.

As many as 61 arson attacks occurred during daytime and 93 in nighttime from Oct 28 to Nov 13, it said.
Besides, in some places, Awami League and BNP offices, ward councillors’ offices, electricity offices and bus ticket counters were set ablaze.

Meanwhile, the opposition party has also called another 48-hour blockade, which will be enforced on Wednesday and Thursday. This will be the fifth time they called for a blockade.