Victims and family members of those killed in arson attacks, under the banner of “Agni Shontrasher Artonaad”, today brought out a rally in Dhaka. Through the rally, they protested against arson attacks on buses and trucks and burning people alive “orchestrated by BNP-Jamaat” in recent times and during 2013-15. People from various professions also participated in the rally, expressing their solidarity.

Beginning with speeches from victims of arson terrorism, the rally moved from the Central Shaheed Minar, passed by Jatiya Press Club and Matsya Bhaban, and ended in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh. Speakers at the rally demanded punishment not just for the arsonists but also for their instigators and financiers. Representatives of the civil society also spoke at the event, showing their support.

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Mizanur Rahman, who lost his wife Nadira Akhter Popy and their three-year-old son Yasin in the recent arson attack on Mohanganj Express, in a choked voice said, “I have come here to seek justice from the nation. Those who burned my wife and child to death must receive exemplary punished. I lost my wife and child; I had to carry their corpses. The child I saw off, I couldn’t hold him again. I had to return home with my child’s corpse in my arms. I demand justice from the Prime Minister.”

Khodeja Nasreen, victim of a 2013 arson attack on a bus, said, “On November 28, 2013, when I reached Shahbagh from my workplace, all of us passengers were screaming. My hands were burnt. I have suffered unbearable pain. The instigators of this arson terrorism must be brought to justice.”

Before the march, Rahima Begum, mother of Nahid who was killed in an arson attack on a bus, said, “Why this arson terrorism? Don’t we have the right to travel safely in this independent country? I demand justice for my son’s murder.”

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Film actor Riaz, taking part in the rally, said, “When a child dies in his mother’s arms in a train fire, it’s not politics, it’s something else. We don’t want to see this in Bangladesh anymore. Enough is enough. Thirty lakh people gave their lives for a flag; we cannot accept such sabotage during this month of victory. This is a conspiracy to push Bangladesh backward.”

Maria Begum, participating in the rally under the banner of Agnishontrasher Biruddhe Rukhe Darao Bangladesh Nari Shomaj’, said, “Since 2009, the country was progressing peacefully. To stop this progress, a self-centered group started arson terrorism from 2013. They have repeatedly tried to destabilize the country by burning people alive. They have again resorted to arson terrorism to obstruct the upcoming election. They must face justice.”

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Former media and information affairs advisor to the prime minister, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, said, “BNP-Jamaat have failed in movements and election preparations, and have chosen the path of arson terrorism to disrupt the 12th parliamentary election. They are conspiring to hinder the country’s development. People of this country are against their sabotage. People here support peace and oppose arson terrorism.”