Buses torched, cocktails explode across Dhaka; six arrested

From Monday evening into the night, a series of arson attacks on passenger buses and cocktail explosions took place across different parts of the capital. The incidents in Farmgate, Mirpur, Dhaka University, Jagannath University, the CMM court premises and the Postogola bridge area have spread concern across the city. According to Desh Rupantor, six people have been arrested in connection with these incidents.

At around 9:30 pm on Monday, miscreants set fire to a Basumati Paribahan bus standing in the post office area of Mirpur section 11.5. Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.

Earlier in the evening, miscreants also set fire to a bus standing under the metro rail station in Farmgate. Smoke from the burning bus set off the station's fire alarm, spreading panic as passengers ran in different directions.

Both buses were passenger buses. However, no one was inside them, so no one was hurt. Everything inside the buses was burned, it was reported.

Confirming the incident, Pallabi police station officer-in-charge Mohammad Jalal Uddin told Ajker Patrika at 12:38 am on Tuesday, ‘Miscreants set fire to a bus in Mirpur and fled. However, no one was hurt in this incident. Efforts are under way to identify and arrest those involved.’

In another incident in Mirpur, one person was injured in a cocktail explosion. Omar Ali (60) was injured when a cocktail exploded at the Mirpur-1 roundabout. He was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Four cocktail explosions were also reported in the capital's Adabar area.

A cocktail exploded in the parking area near the second gate of Jagannath University. One person was detained in the incident by the university unit of Chhatra Dal.

Alongside Monday's incidents, a four-year-old girl named Abida died the same day after falling from the roof of a five-storey building in Mir Hajirbagh, Jatrabari. There is an allegation that she was pushed off the roof and killed. Police have detained a 26-year-old woman named Nitol from a neighbouring flat for questioning.

Police said efforts are under way to identify and arrest those involved in the bus arson and cocktail explosions.