Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said they will leave no stone unturned to identify the perpetrators of the heinous crime of setting a train on fire. "Each and every one will be brought to justice and exemplary punishment shall be rendered to the culprit(s), according to the law of the land," he said in a statement today. Momen said this blatant attempt to instill fear and panic among the masses is an affront to the spirit of the democracy and the enthusiastic participation of Bangladeshi citizens in the upcoming election. Government firmly committed to hold "free, fair, peaceful" polls with people’s participation: FS tells foreigners "This act of setting a train on fire, with people burning inside is characteristic of the pattern of violence that we have witnessed before as well. This has shocked the conscience of our whole society — and indeed — the whole world," he said. When people of Bangladesh are eagerly preparing for a festive national election, a horrifying act of arson took place on the evening of January 5, 2024, when the Benapole Express train was intentionally set on fire by miscreants, Momen observed. This deliberate and heinous act, which occurred at approximately 9 pm around Gopibag Kacha Bazar area when the train was on its way to Kamalapur Railway Station, has resulted in the deaths of four people including two children and scores were injured, he said. BIMSTEC chief vows to translate its grand vision into reality for deepening cooperation  “This reprehensible incident, undoubtedly orchestrated by those with malicious intent, strikes at the very heart of our democratic values,” Momen said. "The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election scheduled for January 7, 2024, shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country," he said. Momen said it is an affront to democracy, an attack on the democratic process, and a grave violation of the rights of citizens. Bangladesh election is domestic affair: India "This deliberate act of setting a train on fire, where innocent passengers were subjected to unimaginable horror and forced to endure the unforgivable sight of fellow humans being burned alive, is an act of absolute abomination," the foreign minister said.

The latest 24-hour road-rail-waterway blockade, called by BNP, is underway across Bangladesh with reports of arson attacks. Dhaka is witnessing usual traffic this morning despite the blockade. Commuters were seen going to their respective destinations in a rush while activities at government and private offices were going on as usual. 24-hour blockade: 428 RAB patrol teams deployed Many students with guardians are going to their respective schools for their final exams. A bus of Turag Paribahan was set on fire by miscreants at Dholaipar in Shyampur area of Dhaka at 5:30 am. A total of 428 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order during the ongoing 24-hour rail, road and waterways blockade called by BNP. BNP to enforce blockade Wednesday, hartal Thursday BNP called for a daylong blockade today and a daylong hartal on Thursday to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC). Party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing on Monday. Rizvi said the programmes are also meant to mount pressure on the government to quit, hold the next election under a non-party neutral government, and release BNP leaders and activists, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. 230 BGB platoons deployed on day 2 of blockade

After a day of relative calm in Dhaka, unidentified arsonists in the capital set fire to five buses in Jatrabari, Gulistan, Gabtoli, near Notre Dame College and Mirpur, all after 9pm ahead of the 48-hour countrywide blockade to be enforced by BNP and like-minded opposition parties from tomorrow (Sunday, November 12, 2023) morning. Besides, a pick-up van was torched in Gazipur's Joydebpur area around 9:33pm. On information, two firefighting teams from Gazipur Fire Station rushed to the spot and are trying to tame the blaze, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence's media cell. Spate of bus burnings after dark in capital sets stage for tense blockade A Shomoy Niyontron bus was torched in front of Sundarban Square Super Market in Gulistan around 9:00pm, he said. Two firefighting units from Siddique Bazar Fire Station are working to put out the blaze, added the officer. Meanwhile, a bus of Anabil Paribahan was torched in front of a fruit market in Jatrabari around 9:27 pm. Two passenger buses set on fire in Dhaka on eve of fresh 48-hr blockade Two firefighting units from Postogola Fire Station reached the scene to douse the blaze, added the official. A Projapati Paribahan bus was set ablaze in Mirpur around 11.30pm. Two firefighting units from Mirpur Fire Station went to the spot to douse the fire, according to Talha bin Zasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (media cell). Earlier, another passenger bus was set on fire in Gabtoli Bus Stand area, around the same time as the one near Notre Dame College. One more bus set on fire in Dhaka’s Mirpur

Police have arrested a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader who allegedly led vandalism and arson attacks on garment factories and other establishments in Gazipur.The arrestee was identified as Ripon Hossain, joint convener of Kaliakoir upazila unit of Chhatra Dal.A press briefing on the development was held at Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner's office earlier today (November 07, 2023). Read: Case filed against 85 BNP leaders, activists over bus burnt in Khulna's RupshaGazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mahbub Alam said that after going over footage and photos, it was found that several garment factories in Shafipur and Konabari of the district were set on fire and vandalised under Ripon Hossain’s leadership.“Under his leadership, attempts were made to create an unstable environment by committing these crimes to implement the party's agenda in the name of demanding wage hikes for garment workers,” the Gazipur police commissioner said. Read: US says it takes any violence leading up to election in Bangladesh ‘incredibly seriously’A police team arrested Ripon from Dhaka's Hazaribagh area yesterday.The Chhatra Dal leader will be sent to court and police will appeal for 10 days' remand for more details, the police official added.

A bus of ‘Bikalpa Auto Service’ was set on fire by miscreants in Dhaka’s Gulistan area today (November 06, 2023), during the second day of the ongoing 48-hour countrywide blockade called by the BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties. Fire Service sources said that miscreants set the bus on fire at 2:05 pm in front of Bangabandhu Square Hall Market, and immediately fled the scene. On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze with the help of bystanders and locals. According to sources at Fire Service headquarters, a total of 18 arson incidents were reported across the country from 4 am on Sunday to 10 am today. 48-hour blockade: Two buses set ablaze in Gazipur Of these, 10 arson attacks were reported in Dhaka city, said Talha Bin Jasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense media cell. Bus torched in Khulna’s Rupsha

A passenger suffered burn injuries after miscreants set a bus on fire at Meradia area of Dhaka’s Khilgaon. The injured was identified as Md Sabuj, 30, a resident of Merul Badda. He was admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with critical burn injuries. The arson attack took place around 7:30am at Bashpattali area of Meradia this morning (November 05, 2023). Sabuj’s wife Rushda said that her husband is a transport worker. He is a driver of a ‘Ramjan Paribahan’ bus. His bus was parked on the side of the road in Meradia area. Read more: 48hr blockade: 27 BGB platoons deployed in Dhaka, adjoining districts He left home in the morning to go to work and boarded a bus of ‘Acchim Paribahan’. When he was about to get off the bus in Meradia area, it was set on fire, his wife said. Later, Sabuj was taken to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with serious burn injuries. Tariqul Islam, a resident doctor at the burn institute, said Sabuj suffered 28 percent burn injuries and his respiratory tract were damaged. Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost, confirmed the incident. Rozina Akter, duty officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, said the fire was doused by locals before fire service units reached the spot. Read more: As Agargaon-Motijheel part starts operation, Dhaka Metro Rail crowded with commuters during 48hr blockade

A Faridpur court on Tuesday sentenced a man death for killing wife by setting her on fire in 2011. Faridpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Pradip Kumar Ray handed down the verdict. The condemned convict is Shahabuddin Khan, of Dholairchar village in Alfadanga upazila. The court also sentenced his brother Sumon Khan to life term imprisonment and acquitted two other accused in the case. The convicts were fined Tk 50,000 each. On June 27, 2011, Monira Khanam’s husband Shabuddin Khan, in-laws Sumon Khan, Asia Begum and Jhumur Begum set her fire after pouring kerosene to kill her, said Public Prosecutor of the tribunal advocate Shwapan Paul. She was rescued by neighbors and rushed to a hospital and then succumbed to her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he said. On July 3, 2011, Monira’s father filed a case at Alfadanaga police station. On September 28, 2011, a charge sheet in the case was submitted to the court and after a long trial the court pronounced the verdict.

Thirty more people have been arrested in the past 24 hours in connection with the clashes and vandalism by supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh in Brahmanbaria last month, police said Thursday.   The arrests were made from different parts of the district after identifying the accused from video footage and images taken during the violence, the district police said in a release.   So far, 54 cases have been filed and 237 people arrested over the violence, the police said.   On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh. Also read; Clashes in Brahmanbaria leave five dead   Thr next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.   They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.   Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalised several private and government  establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila. Also read: Four killed in clashes with cops in Chattogram   The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.        

The High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to 178 leaders and activists of BNP in connection with the cases over the arson attacks on buses including two government staff buses and a BRTC double-decker bus in different parts of the city.

The way vehicles were torched on November 12 is quite similar to the incidents of 2014-2015. What was worse was the denial that followed.