Arson Incidents on Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong Highway: Passenger Bus and Trucks Targeted
Sajid Sami Chowdhury
Chittagong, November 1, 2023 – In a series of troubling incidents on Wednesday morning, both a passenger bus and two trucks became the targets of arson attacks along the Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong Highway.
At approximately 8 a.m., an alarming incident unfolded in the Bellapara area of the Karnaphuli Thana, an area situated in the constituency of Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud. A passenger bus, operating on the highway, was hijacked by unidentified individuals who subsequently set the bus ablaze after forcing the passengers to disembark. Local residents promptly alerted Awami League and Jubo League leaders to these events in the Balur Depot area.
In a separate incident, which occurred at 4 a.m., two trucks were set on fire in the Lichubagan area of the Chandraghona Union within the Rangunia Thana, situated along the Chittagong-Kaptai Road. Alongside the arson, large trees were felled and obstructed the road, causing significant disruption.
Jahir Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Karnaphuli Thana, explained that he had been transporting garment workers from the slum area and had intended to take some of them to Patiya from Karnaphuli. On their return journey, after encountering the obstruction in the Bellapara area, the perpetrators set fire to the bus. The OC clarified that no suspects had been apprehended in connection with this incident.
Meanwhile, Kamruzzaman Suman, the Station Officer of Rangunia Fire Service, detailed their response to the situation. Upon receiving the news, the Fire Service team swiftly proceeded to the Lichubagan area of the Chandraghona Union and successfully extinguished the fires in two vehicles. Furthermore, firefighters efficiently removed the trees blocking the road.
Chandan Kumar Chakrabarti, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rangunia Thana, emphasized that the individuals responsible for the incidents had set fire to two trucks during the early hours of the morning. Law enforcement teams are actively pursuing those involved, and the case is currently under investigation.
These incidents have raised concerns among the local community and authorities, with investigations ongoing to determine the motives and culprits behind these acts of arson.