The police have enhanced nationwide dragnet on saboteurs who are out to create anarchy by setting fire on vehicles and exploding crude bombs to destabilize the country.
As part of the police manhunt, a local Awami Leagu (AL) leader Md. Anwar Hossain was arrested for his alleged involvement in setting fire on a bus in Mymensingh that led to death of its driver after scrutinizing the video footages of the place of occurrence, police said.
A bus belonging to Alam Asia Paribahan was set ablaze in the early hours of Tuesday in Valukjan area of Fulbaria Upazila, Mymensingh, resulting in the death of its driver, Julhas Mia, 35.
The incident occurred around 3:15am while the driver was inside the vehicle, which was completely gutted by the fire.
Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has also arrested 44 more leaders and activists of the AL and its affiliated organizations in separate drives across the capital in the last 24 hours.
DB officials said the arrests were made from different areas of Dhaka on charges of involvement in subversive and anti-state activities aimed at disrupting law and order.
Deputy Commissioner of DMP Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed their arrests.
The drives were conducted based on specific intelligence information, and further drives are underway to apprehend others linked to the banned political organization and its front bodies.
Law enforcement agencies have tightened surveillance in different parts of the city to prevent any unrest and to ensure public safety.
A string of arson attacks hit several areas across Bangladesh today. In Dhaka`s Mirpur, three disguised passengers set fire to a Shatabdi Paribahan bus, while another Alif Paribahan bus was torched in Ashulia - the attackers firing blank shots before fleeing.
No casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, in Gazipur, two unexploded petrol bombs were recovered from the Nisarga Resort owned by the Grameen Telecom Trust.
A separate incident in Kishoreganj`s Bajitpur saw miscreants igniting a Tisha Paribahan bus seat before fleeing.
Earlier on Monday and Tuesday, several buses and a private car were torched at different parts of the capital city.
Authorities have tightened security nationwide and launched investigations into the coordinated attacks.
Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir ALam Chowdhury on Tuesday said that law enforcement agencies are taking a firm stance against the anarchy.
"Criminals will not be spared in any way," he said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali on Tuesday assured the city residents of comprehensive security measures ahead of the November 13 Dhaka blockade programme of the banned AL, saying there is "nothing to fear."
"The DMP is capable of checking any kind of subversive acts. Alongside the police, RAB, army, BGB and different intelligence agencies have been put on high alert. So, there is nothing to worry with some isolated acts of the miscreants," the Commissioner said at an urgently called press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Mintoo Road today.
On the other hand, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has deployed 14 platoons of the paramilitary force in the Dhaka city and adjoining Narayanganj and Gazipur districts to strengthen security measures and maintain law and order.
BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam told BSS that the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken the decision as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety ahead of the International Crimes Tribunal-1`s expected announcement of the verdict date in a high-profile case.
"Fourteen platoons of BGB have been deployed in the capital and adjoining areas to assist the local administration and law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and stability," Shariful Islam said.
According to BGB sources, 12 platoons have been positioned at various strategic points across Dhaka metropolitan area, while two additional platoons have been stationed in Narayanganj and Gazipur City Corporation areas.
The deployment came amid heightened security measures in and around key government offices, court premises, and major intersections of the capital.
Law enforcement officials said patrols have been intensified and surveillance has been stepped up to prevent any untoward incident.
Senior officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and district administrations of Narayanganj and Gazipur have confirmed that coordination meetings were held earlier in the day to review the overall security situation and allocate forces accordingly.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement personnel, assuring that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure safety and normalcy in public life.
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