In a disturbing incident in the Bangladeshi capital, an unidentified group set fire to a passenger train, resulting in at least four fatalities, including a woman and her young son. This horrifying event occurred amidst political unrest surrounding the upcoming January 7 elections. The attack took place during a nationwide stoppage called by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as part of their ongoing campaign to boycott the polls and protest against the Election Commission’s schedule.
This arson attack marks the fifth such incident in the past month, making it the deadliest in terms of casualties. Miscreants targeted three compartments of the Dhaka-bound Mohanganj Express, causing panic among passengers. The train was stopped at Tejgaon station, where fire service rescuers managed to extinguish the flames and recover four bodies. Unfortunately, two of the deceased remain unidentified, and another minor boy is reported missing.
The political landscape in Bangladesh has been tense, with the ruling Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emerging as the prime contender in the absence of the boycotting BNP. The BNP’s demands for a no-party caretaker government were not met, leading to their decision to abstain from the January 7 polls.
The situation has escalated with instances of violence, including the uprooting of railway tracks and the derailment of carriages, resulting in casualties. The BNP contends that no election under the ruling Awami League can be fair and demands the government’s resignation for the formation of an interim non-party neutral government for poll oversight.
As the country faces unrest, Bangladesh has decided to deploy the Army for 13 days from December 29 to maintain order leading up to the general elections on January 7. The Election Commission announced the polls schedule on November 15, but the BNP remains adamant in its call for a fair electoral process.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal acknowledged the existing differences among political leaderships regarding the election process. Despite attempts to engage in dialogue, parties like the BNP rejected invitations, emphasizing the need for a congenial atmosphere for a smooth election.
In the midst of the turmoil, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a key party leader, faces challenges as a court denied his bail request on Monday. With over 10,000 opposition leaders and activists reportedly arrested in a nationwide crackdown, tensions remain high in the lead-up to the crucial elections.
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