Gaibandha, Bangladesh (BBN)-At least nine persons including two children were burnt to death as miscreants firebombed a bus and a truck in two parts of Bangladesh Friday night and early Saturday.
More than 30 people were also suffered injuries in the attacks.
In northern district of Gaibandha, at least six persons including two children were killed when miscreants widely believed as pickets firebombed a bus full of sleeping passengers around 11:00pm Friday.
On the other hand, three more people including a trucker and helper were killed in another incident of petrol bomb attack in Barisal, a southern district of Bangladesh early Saturday.
With the death, the spiralling political unrest aimed at toppling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina claimed the lives of 65 people since January 5. Of the victims, mostly are innocent.
The arson attacks took place within a couple of hours after the Awami League Central Working Committee meeting ended with a vow to go tougher on the ongoing non-stop blockade and frequent strike enforced by the alliance and led by Khaleda Zia, a former premier of the country.
Earlier on February 3, at least nine passengers of a bus were burnt dead in another arson attack in Comilla, an east-central district of Bangladesh.
GAIBANDHA
A Dhaka-bound bus, which came under attack around 11:00pm Friday, was under police escort when it was firebombed, Raziur Rahman, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Gaibandha Sadar Police Station, told the BBN.
At least 30 passengers were also injured in the attack in Tulshighat of Gaibandha district.
Of the injured the condition of 15 was stated to be critical.
They were undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College and Hospital.
The arsonists rapidly dispersed and fled the scene after attacking the bus, the OC added.
BARISAL
In Gournadi area of Barisal, at least three persons including a trucker and its helper were burnt to death when arsonists hurled petrol bomb on a goods-laden truck.
The victims died on the spot.
On information, Barisal highway police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies from the inside of the charred truck.
The bodies are now at a local hospital.
BACKGROUND
Khaleda called the protests on January 5, urging supporters to enforce a nationwide blockade of roads, railways and waterways to force the Awami League government to call a fresh election.
The BNP and its allies boycotted the 10th general election in January 2014, saying they believed the result would be rigged.
The alliance is also protesting the confinement of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her party Gulshan office and arrest of party leaders and activists.
Khaleda called the blockade after she was barred from coming out of her Gulshan office.
BNP said its party chief was “confined” but the government denied the allegation though it had put additional law enforcers and sand-laden trucks in front of Khaleda’s office.
The government however removed the security barriers after 16 days on January 19.
Several hundred people including law enforcers were also injured during the blockade and strike.
Hundreds of vehicles were also torched and vandalised in the political agitation.
Meanwhile, the political unrest cast a negative impact on the 1.5 million (15 lakh) SSC examinees as the government had to rescheduled the examinations for two times which was scheduled to begin on February 2.
The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations however was begun on Friday, which was a weekend in Bangladesh amid tight security.
The alliance sponsored blockade and strike had a little impact on the lives of the people on its 33th day, aside from a few stray incidents of violence including arson attacks across the country.
Meanwhile, the law enforcers continued a crackdown on alleged anarchists in different parts of the country and arrested dozens of people including the leaders and activists of BNP-led alliance for their alleged involvement in the violence.
The city dwellers experienced traffic jams on Dhaka roads, which is a common phenomenon of Bangladesh.
People are also seen to do their routine activities that bring a sign of normalcy.
BBN/SS/AD-7Feb15-8:30am (BST)