At least 34 incidents of arson have been reported across Bangladesh during the three days of blockade ending on Thursday evening.
The BNP and its allies and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami enforced the road, rail and waterway blockade from 6:00 am on October 31 to demand the resignation of Prime MInister Sheikh Hasin and hand over power to a caretaker government to oversee next elections. They also protested against the police action on a massive rally by the BNP on Saturday (October 28) and the subsequent arrests of the BNP leaders and activists across the country. The three-blockade ended at 6: 00 pm on Thursday (November 2)
A dozen cases of arson were reported in Dhaka city, seven in Dhaka division (Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj), eight in Chattogram division (Sitakunda, Karnaphuli, Rangunia, Feni, Chandpur, Bayezid), four in Rajshahi division (Bogura, Raiganj) and one each in Rangpur, Barishal and Mymensigh divisions respectively.
Read: BNP to enforce fresh 48-hour countrywide blockade from Sunday
Eighteen buses, four covered vans, five trucks, one private car, three motorcycles, two commercial goods showrooms and one police box were burned.
Analysing data it has been found that 19 out of the total 34 arson incidents happened between 6:00 pm to 5: 00 am and the rest from 6:00 am to 11: 00 am. The statistics show that most arson incidents happened at night.
On the other hand, at least eight incidents of arson were reported across the country from 12: 00am on November 1 to 6:00 pm on November 2 on the final day of the blockade, according to the media cell of the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.
Read: Senior BNP leaders have been arrested based on specific information: IGP
Among the arson attacks, four occurred in Dhaka city, one each in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, two in Chattogram, said Station Officer (media cell) Tanha Bin Zasim of the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.
Five buses, one private car and one truck were burned across the country.
A total of 82 incidents of arson were reported from October 28 to November 2 across the country.