CTTC arrests three BNP men over Demra bus arson

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit has arrested three BNP men who were allegedly involved in setting fire to a bus of Achim Paribahan in Demra of Dhaka city in October last year, leaving one helper dead and another injured.

The arrested are former Vice-President of Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra Dal Md Nurul Islam Monir alias Monir Munshi (37), member secretary of Narayanganj City Jubo Dal Md Shahed Ahmed, 38, and Monir Munshi’s private driver and BNP activist Mahabubur Rahman Sohag (33).

Along with the arrest of the three BNP men, the vehicle used during the arson was seized by the Anti-Illegal Arms and Canine Team of the CTTC's Special Action Group, said CTTC Chief Asaduzzaman during a briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road in Dhaka city on Saturday.

He detailed that BNP conducted a violent rampage in Paltan area of the capital on October 28 last year to thwart the 12th national parliamentary elections.

At the time, according to Mr Asaduzzaman, the party’s leaders and activists were involved in numerous incidents of car vandalism and arson, including attacks on the residence of the Chief Justice and the killing of a policeman.

Later on the night of October 28, a bus of Achim Paribahan, parked at Deilla bus stand under Demra Police Station, was set afire, leaving one helper dead on the spot and another helper seriously injured. The victims were asleep on the bus during the arson, added the CTTC chief.

A case regarding the arson was filed with Demra Police Station the following day.