Photo : Messenger
The latest arson attacks on passenger transports like buses in different parts of the capital city and beyond – especially in areas nearby the police boxes – have posed an awkward challenge to the law enforcers, which are causing a sense of commotion and concern among cops and citizens alike.
As continuity to a series of recent attacks, a bus was set on fire right in front of the Kakoli Police Box in the evening around 8:00pm on Wednesday in Banani area of the capital city.
Another bus named Ramzan Paribahan was also set on fire by the miscreants around 9:00pm in front of the capital’s BGB Headquarters area last night. Yet another bus named Akash Paribahan was set ablaze in the same evening around 7:33pm in Dhaka’s Tantibazaar area.
Earlier, a bus of Bahon Paribahan parked in front of the Ansar camp in the capital's Malibagh was set on fire on Tuesday at around 11:00p.m. Although passersby alerted the Fire Service, the damage was already done to the bus by that time as it took quite some time for the two units of Fire Service from Khilgaon to come and douse the fire.
Another similar arson attack took place on Monday around 9:30pm when another bus of Akash Paribahan was burnt on the opposite side of the capital's Khilkhet police station.
It was later revealed that the bus helper was standing at Khilkhet and was calling for passengers. At that time, miscreants set fire to the back side of the bus. A few passengers, including the driver, ran out of the bus.
Bystanders informed the Fire Service. Afterwards, units from Kurmitola came and brought the fire under control. But the damage was already done by that time. Almost half of the bus was burnt to ashes.
All these arson attacks are taking place during the ongoing blockade enforced by BNP-led opposition parties including Jamaat.
On October 28, BNP held a rally in the capital in the name of ‘Grand Rally’ during which miscreants were seen beating police and even killing one policeman in the process. The miscreants were also accused of setting fire to numerous vehicles and police installations and even attacking the residence of the Chief Justice.
A strike later in the week led to a programme of blockades that continues to this day. Around 200 vehicles were set on fire almost all over the country due to the strike. Among those, there were around 100 arson attacks that took place alone in the capital city. Even cocktails were also thrown at the police from the flyover in Moghbazar.
It has been seen that most of the places where fire has been set in the capital are nearby traffic boxes or police stations around the place.
The incident involving setting fire to Banglamotor in the capital took place at 6:30p.m. on Monday. However, there is a full-time police presence at this intersection. This happened in front of them. However, quickly they also joined the work of extinguishing the fire. There have been incidents of arson on two consecutive days where police were present at the shooting range. A bus was set on fire in front of the Elephant Road Police Box. A bus was set on fire in the new market in the capital. But Bhatara police station is a few yards from where the bus was set on fire. A bus has been set on fire in Mugda. The police station was next to the incident. However, one who took part in setting the fire with the help of the driver and helper was arrested and handed over to the police.
A bus set on fire in Mirpur 11, however, the police station was a few hands away from where the bus was set on fire. Cocktails were thrown at police vehicles in Abdullahpur. Demra, Matuail, Jurain, Motijheel in front of Bangladesh Bank, Neelkhet Junction, Mirpur Bangla College, Sayedabad Janpath Junction, Signboard, and Hazaribagh areas of buses were set on fire.
After investigation, it was found that the police were stationed around these spots. In other words, 90 percent of the vehicles set on fire happened in the vicinity of the police station. The saboteurs came around these places in passenger vehicles and fled.
The question arises whether the miscreants have thrown some kind of challenge at the police. Many people are also concerned about their safety as miscreants are setting fire to the vehicles in front of the police.
When asked about this, Daffodil University Law Department head Dr. Kudrat E. Khuda told The Daily Messenger, "It is worrying. However, in the context of the incident, it can be seen that the incidents happened in a stealthy manner.”
“The attempt to create fear in people's minds by setting fire to the vehicles during the strike should come out of it. At the same time, those involved in the incident should be brought under strict punishment,” added Kudrat E. Khuda.
Lawyer Azharul Islam Roni said, “We are worried now. The police should be more active to ensure the smooth movement of the common people.”
However, Joint Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Biplab Kumar Sarkar said, “Incidents of setting fires are taking place secretly. Incidents of setting fire in groups or processions are very rare. Till now, we have arrested 1,696 miscreants. We have even taken various initiatives to raise awareness about this.”
He said various levels of police officials and even the commissioner have also held meetings with the bus owner association and bus driver helpers. There are various suggestions, including taking pictures of the passengers inside the bus and keeping sticks inside the bus.
“There is also talk of catching miscreants who plan to set fire to a bus. If someone catches a miscreant like that, he or she will be rewarded with Tk 20,000, as announced by DMP. We are making every efforts to prevent such arsonists.”
Biplab Kumar Sarkar also said arson matters will be reduced by the security measures we have taken. And everyone involved in arson will be brought under the law. We are analysing the CCTV camera footage around each place of fire.”
Former IGP of Police AKM Shahidul Haque said, “Actually, there is no challenge, as it is not possible to survive if you challenge the police.” He further said that intelligence monitoring should be increased.
“Efforts should be made to catch the vandals red-handed. However, the commissioner announcing a reward for catching miscreants will definitely inspire people,” added Shahidul.
Messenger/Disha
