Opposition blockade: 21 arson attacks reported across country since Tuesday, says Fire Service

At least 21 incidents of arson were reported across Bangladesh in over 24 hours till Wednesday evening during the road, rail and waterway blockade enforced by the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Sources at the media cell of the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters said that they got information of 21 arson attacks across the country on Wednesday.

The reports of fire incidents reached the fire service control room from 6 am on Tuesday till 7 pm Wednesday, said Station Officer (media cell ) Tanha Bin Zasim of the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.

Among the arson attacks, five occurred in Dhaka city, seven in Dhaka division (Savar, Gazipur, Narayanganj), four each in Chattogram (Karnaphuli, Rangunia, Sitakunda) and Rajshahi (Bogura, Sirajganj) and Rangpur divisions.

Ten buses, three covered vans, three trucks, one pickup, one motorcycle, two commercial goods showrooms and one police box were burnt across the country.

A three-day blockade of road, rail and waterways, enforced by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties, began on Tuesday (October 31, 2023) to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit and hold the next election under a non-party, neutral administration.