Desk Report:
Miscreants set fire to a passenger bus of Alif Paribahan in Mirpur in the capital. The incident took place near Metrorail pillar number 266 in Sheorapara around 7:15 am on Friday. After getting the passengers off the bus, the miscreants opened fire and set the bus on fire. No one was injured in the incident.
Kafrul Police Station OC Abdullah Al Mamun said that the bus was going from Mirpur towards Agargaon. On the way, some miscreants came and asked the bus to stop with a hand gesture. Then they beat the driver and assistant and made them get off. The passengers also got off the bus in panic. At that time, the miscreants fired several rounds of bullets at the front glass of the bus and set it on fire.
Citing the initial investigation, the police said that the arson incident may have occurred due to a dispute over the appointment of a ‘checker’ in Alif Paribahan.
The OC said, ‘There was a dispute over the appointment of a bus checker. It is believed that the incident was triggered by that dispute.
The bus authorities have alleged that a person named Nesar recently injured their employees while demanding extortion. They suspect that he may be involved in this incident as well.
Mirpur Division Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Makshudur Rahman said that some employees were laid off in the bus company. Those employees may have been involved in the incident out of anger. He said that the real reason will be known after the investigation and legal action is being taken.
Immediately after the incident, the fire service reached the spot and brought the fire under control within 15 minutes. Fire Service Duty Officer Rashed Bin Khalid said, “Some youths came and set the bus on fire and quickly fled. However, there were no casualties.”
Police said that efforts are underway to identify the arsonists by collecting footage from closed-circuit cameras in the area and taking statements from witnesses. The bus suffered significant damage in the fire.
Fire Service Duty Officer Rashed Bin Khalid told Ajker Patrika that a fire broke out in an Alif Paribahan bus at around 7:15 am today. Three or four youths set the bus on fire. Two units of the fire service went and extinguished the fire. The bus was heading towards Agargaon from Mirpur. However, there were no casualties. Although the bus was not completely burnt, there was considerable damage. He said the bus has been taken into police custody from the scene.
