Locks put on institutions overnight in Barguna, municipality truck set on fire

Locks were put on several educational institutions and government and private offices in different upazilas of Barguna in the dead of night, in incidents linked by allegation to the banned Chhatra League. A truck of Betagi municipality was also set on fire, and attempts were made to block roads by burning tree trunks and tyres.

Late on Monday (9 November) night, locks were put on the main gates of educational institutions and government and private offices in Barguna Sadar, Betagi, Patharghata and Amtali upazilas. Posters and chits were also pasted there.

According to local sources, along with the locks in Betagi upazila, posters carrying a photo of Sheikh Hasina and the name of Betagi upazila Chhatra League general secretary Sifat Sikder were put up. Locks were also put on the main gates of Patharghata Government College, several madrasas, educational institutions in Bamna and Jila School in Barguna Sadar.

The same night, a municipality truck was set on fire in front of the Betagi municipality office. Attempts were also made to block roads at several points on the Barishal-Kuakata highway, the Patharghata-Mathbaria regional road and the Kakchira-Patharghata regional road by burning tree trunks and tyres.

Betagi police station officer-in-charge Md Enamul Haque said legal action will be taken against those involved in the arson of the municipality vehicle after reviewing CCTV footage. He said contact has been made with the relevant people to unlock the institutions, and the situation in Betagi is now normal.

Barguna district police additional superintendent (administration and finance) Md Mukit Hasan Khan said they have visited various institutions and there is no lock anywhere now. An operation is under way to arrest those involved in these incidents, he said.

In Amtali of Barguna, there is an allegation that petrol was poured on the engine cover of the Utility Type-50 ferry operating on the Payra river in an attempt to set it on fire. After the incident late on Sunday night, the ferry authorities filed a written complaint with Amtali police station on Monday.

A bus of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), parked in front of the Barguna district police lines, was set on fire on Sunday (8 November) night. Police have not yet identified who carried out the incident.

Bamna police have arrested Rajib Hossain Abdullah, former vice-president of the banned organisation Chhatra League and former general secretary of Bamna Sadar Union Chhatra League.

Police have also arrested Md Mahbubul Islam, former president of the banned Chhatra League in Amtali upazila of Barguna. He was arrested from Dakbanglo road in Amtali municipal town on Friday noon and later sent to jail through the court.