Arson, bomb attacks sweep across country
Activists of the banned Awami League and its student wing Chhatra League have been accused of carrying out a series of arson attacks, crude-bomb explosions, road blockades and vandalism across the country in an attempt to enforce a nationwide shutdown called by the banned student organisation on Tuesday.
The incidents, reported from Dhaka and several districts, left buses, vehicles, offices and public property damaged, while explosions and attacks triggered panic among residents and commuters.
Police recovered unexploded bombs and arrested several people suspected of involvement.
In Dhaka, several cocktail bombs exploded in quick succession in the Malibagh and Mouchak areas at around 8:30pm on Monday, including one in front of the Desh Television office and another near Padma Cinema Hall in Malibagh Chowdhurypara.
Police also recovered four unexploded cocktail bombs from Dhanmondi 32 and near Dhanmondi City College. Two handmade bombs exploded at separate locations on Dhaka University campus at around 2:20pm on Tuesday, injuring two people. One of them, Sohel, 36, was seriously injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Students also detained a man carrying a machete on the campus and handed him over to Shahbagh police. DU Proctor Professor Israfil Ratan confirmed the explosions and casualties.
At Islamic University in Kushtia, a petrol bomb was hurled at a bus carrying students, while another handmade bomb was thrown at the pocket gate of Shah Azizur Rahman Hall before 5:00am. No casualties were reported. Proctor Dr Shahinuzzaman alleged that the banned Chhatra League had attempted to create disorder on the campus as part of a nationwide effort.
In Gazipur, two Azmeri Paribahan buses were set on fire while parked beside the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Chandra, Kaliakair. Similar attacks were reported in Savar and Dhamrai, where two buses and a covered van were torched. A driver sleeping inside one of the buses escaped with minor injuries.
Police also recovered three cocktail bombs from an abandoned bag outside Adhar Chandra High School in Savar.
In Faridpur, a bus driver, Md Kalachan Sheikh, 60, died from suffocation after miscreants set fire to his bus near the Goalchamat New Bus Terminal at around 1:30am. He was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police said he died from smoke inhalation rather than burns.
In Rajshahi, two grenade-like objects were recovered from Hazrat Shah Makhdum Airport, prompting authorities to escort Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku through a rear exit. Separately, a BNP office in Tanore was set on fire.
Chattogram also witnessed several incidents of arson, vandalism and bomb explosions. A Grameen Bank branch in Anwara was attacked with a cocktail bomb and set ablaze, damaging some documents.
In Hathazari, police arrested three people allegedly involved in vandalising two buses on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway and recovered two petrol bombs. Police said the detainees admitted to being Chhatra League activists and claimed to have acted on instructions from the organisation’s central leadership.
A bus in City Gate and a police-seized truck in Khulshi were also torched. In Anwara, masked youths blocked a road by burning tyres and chanting slogans in support of Sheikh Hasina before fleeing as police approached.
In Cox’s Bazar, cocktail and petrol bombs exploded at seven locations, including Kolatoli and New Market, spreading panic among residents and tourists. Police detained six people on suspicion of involvement. Tyres were also burned in Teknaf, where protesters chanted ‘Joy Bangla’.
Gopalganj witnessed heightened tension as activists of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League blocked roads, burned tyres and clashed with police in Tungipara. A police vehicle was torched and several shops vandalised. Reports put the number of injured, including police personnel, at between a few and more than 50. Police arrested eight people and recovered 15 cocktail bombs and seven motorcycles.
Explosions were also reported at several locations in Gopalganj town, while road blockades disrupted traffic on the Dhaka-Khulna highway and near the Kalna Madhumati Bridge.
In Shariatpur, protesters blocked the Padma Bridge’s south toll plaza in Jajira between 1:30am and 2:30am. More than 100 cocktail bombs reportedly exploded, two trucks were vandalised and toll operations remained suspended for about an hour. Protesters chanted slogans in support of Sheikh Hasina before police dispersed them.
A BNP ward office in Guimara, Khagrachhari, was completely gutted by fire, with district BNP leaders blaming the banned Awami League for the attack. In Mymensingh, activists of the banned Chhatra League set fire to tyres on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway.
Two Chhatra League leaders were detained by Chhatra Dal activists near Bangladesh Agricultural University while allegedly attempting to set fire to a railway line.
In Netrokona, four seats in a coach of the Haor Express were burned after the train reached Mohanganj railway station. Blockades were also reported on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway in Patuakhali, while several educational institutions and the court in Rangamati were locked.
In Khulna, a train coach caught fire, damaging three seats. The Batiaghata upazila BNP office was also set ablaze by unidentified motorcycle-borne attackers.
Police conducted raids across the country, arresting several suspects and recovering cocktail bombs, petrol bombs and weapons.
Law enforcers said the attacks were intended to spread public fear and create an impression of a successful nationwide blockade. Investigations were continuing, with further arrests expected.