The Crime Desk: A series of incidents of fire and vandalism have taken place in buses and trains in the name of a hartal blockade across the country, including the capital Dhaka, centered on the 12th National Assembly elections. However, after the January 7 election, the situation is normal. But even then, the fear of the pre-election panic and violence has not yet subsided.
Law and order forces fear that important facilities, including trains, power stations, and TV stations, may be affected. There is also the threat of terrorist attacks. Due to this, security has been strengthened in important installations in the country, and the force members have been ordered to increase their agility. Recently, this instruction was given by a letter from the Police Headquarters to all the Metropolitan Police, Highway, Railway, and Range DIG units of the country.
In a letter signed by Additional DIG (Confidential) AFM Anjuman Kalam of Police Headquarters on January 17, it has been said that ‘in the current context, the trend of traveling or commuting by rail is increasing in addition to road travel. There are fears that miscreants may set fire or mischief in railway stations and trains with the aim of creating a law-and-order situation and instability. Apart from this, there is a threat of vandalism in various important government facilities, including KPIs, power stations, TV centers, and important public places. The danger of terrorist attacks on these establishments cannot be ruled out. In that case, the security agencies and law enforcement forces need to be more active.
According to police headquarters sources, before the 12th National Assembly elections, the security system had increased across the country since last November. Still, since the announcement of the schedule for the 12th National Assembly elections, miscreants have been consistently setting fire to buses and trains in different parts of the country. Two days before the election, four passengers were burned to death in a train fire in the capital. There were no incidents of vandalism or violence on buses or trains after the elections. However, intelligence has information that the opposition political parties are once again preparing for agitation. As a result, it is feared that vandalism and fire may occur again in the name of the movement.
According to Bangladesh Railway Police sources, on January 25, DIG Md. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan visited Chittagong Railway District. He, while interacting with the officials, directed them to carry out their duties strictly to prevent vandalism on the railways. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan said, “We are sitting with all the stakeholders. I have had meetings from time to time. It started in November. Then modify it step by step. All measures were taken for the safety of the railways. That security system continues.
Officials of the police headquarters say that the boycotting parties also have no violent inclination. As a result, there may be laxity in the field police. Any type of attack or sabotage can take place at this opportunity. So this order has been given to increase the agility of the field police.
