Bangladesh train arson: Opposition BNP leader among eight arrested, party demands UN probe

On Saturday, Dhaka police detained eight individuals, including a prominent leader of the opposition BNP, in connection with the arson attack on the Benapole Express that claimed at least four lives. The train, en route from West Bengal to Kamalapur Railway Station, had four carriages set ablaze near Gopibagh around 9 pm on Friday. Among the arrested were Nabi Ullah Nabi, a BNP joint convener, and five activists of Jubo Dal, the BNP’s youth wing.

According to Harunor Rashid, Chief of Detective Branch (DB) of police, Nabi Ullah Nabi and Jubo Dal activist Mansur Alam were implicated as planners and financers of the train arson through a video conference. The DB chief mentioned that 12-13 Jubo Dal leaders held a video conference, planning arson attacks on specific routes and crude bomb attacks at polling centers. Clips of the video conference were reportedly recovered by the police.

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The BNP, led by former prime minister Khalida Zia, labeled the incident as pre-planned sabotage and demanded a UN-supervised investigation, boycotting the upcoming general elections. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP senior Joint Secretary, expressed concern over the “heartbreaking” incident and called for an inquiry.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railways formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident and determine responsibility. Three of the four burnt coaches were destroyed, with most passengers returning from India.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and directed an investigation into whether the fire was an act of sabotage. Over 100 foreign observers, including three from India, are in Dhaka to monitor the general elections, starting at 8:00 am on Sunday.

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As the BNP continues its boycott, citing the demand for an interim non-party neutral government, Bangladesh witnessed previous train-related arson incidents and violence leading up to the January elections. The Awami League accused the BNP of sabotage, a claim the opposition party denied.