Cocktail Blasts and Torched Minibus in Manikganj: Two Cases Name 51 Over Banned Chhatra League Blockade, One Arrested

Two cases have been filed in Manikganj over allegations of crude bomb (cocktail) explosions, arson on a minibus and obstruction of traffic centring on a blockade called by the banned Chhatra League. The two cases name 51 people from the banned Awami League and its associate organisations, with a further 80 to 95 unidentified people also accused. Police have arrested one of the named accused in one of the cases.

The arrested man is Manik Fakir (40), a member of Ward No. 9 of the Atigram Union Awami League in Manikganj Sadar Upazila. His home is in Barta village of the upazila.

According to police and the case statements, the incidents began on the evening of November 9. After that evening, crude bombs exploded one after another at various places including the Manikganj Deputy Commissioner's office, the bus stand, the Superintendent of Police's residence and the Paturia police outpost. Tyres were also set on fire at different places in Saturia, Shibalaya and Singair.

At around 12:30 that night, petrol was poured on a minibus parked in front of the Nabin Cinema Hall at the Manikganj bus stand and it was set on fire. About half of the bus was burnt.

The first case over these incidents was filed on November 10 at Manikganj Sadar Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act. It names 17 people and accuses a further 50 to 60 unidentified people. The complainant is Riyad Morshed, a former member of the district Jubo Dal.

The first case names 17 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies at various levels, including five from the district and municipal Chhatra League (banned) and three from the district and upazila Jubo League. Charges were brought under sections 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 and section 3(a) of the Explosives Act. The case statement gives the place of occurrence as the road on the north-east side of the Bijoy Mela field at Dakshin Seota in Manikganj town at 6:45 pm on November 9.

The second case was filed on November 11 under the Special Powers Act. The complainant is Sub-Inspector (SI) Md. Ershad Ali of Sadar Police Station. It names 34 people and accuses a further 30 to 35 unidentified people. Among the named are 25 leaders and activists of the district and upazila Chhatra League, two of the Jubo League, four of the Awami League, one of the Swechchhasebak League and one of the Sramik League.

Charges in the second case were brought under sections 15(3) and 25-gha of the Special Powers Act, 1974 and section 3(a) of the Explosives Act. The statement says the incident took place at 12:15 am on November 10 on the vacant ground south of the Baitul Aman Jame Mosque at the Manikganj bus stand.

The case statement alleges that, with the aim of overthrowing the government, the accused gathered on the highway to obstruct traffic, set fire to a minibus and created panic among the public through crude bomb explosions.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Manikganj Sadar Circle, Md. Salauddin, confirmed the arrest and said the arrested accused would be sent to court after the necessary legal procedures.

Meanwhile, after the crude bomb explosions and bus arson in Manikganj, the BNP and its associate organisations have announced they will stay in the field to prevent possible sabotage. Considering the possible activities of the Awami League and its associate bodies and the announcement of Sheikh Hasina's return to the country, party leaders said they would remain on alert.