The recent incidents of vandalism and arson in the railway during the blockade called by BNP-Jamaat have been broadcasted by the Ministry of External Affairs as a direct attack on the state and the people with the aim of disrupting the upcoming elections and the progress of the country.
In a post on the Foreign Ministry's verified Facebook page on Thursday (December 21), the activities of the BNP-Jamaat alliance went beyond political unrest; Apart from causing bodily harm to citizens, they also caused extensive damage to government property.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the government and the people of Bangladesh are taking a strong stand against terrorism and such violent activities as the elections are approaching.
It said that despite these challenges, the government and people of Bangladesh are determined to maintain peace and continue the socio-economic development of the country.
As Bangladesh enters a highly participatory and richly contested national election festival scheduled for January 7, the nation is witnessing growing efforts by a vested interest group to derail Bangladesh's democratic processes.
After failing to gain popularity and political support, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a section of its allies have intensified their efforts to enforce the blockade with the aim of creating significant obstacles in the upcoming elections. As a result of this strategic move by BNP, incidents of vandalism and arson have increased alarmingly across the country.
Their supporters have indulged in these destructive activities to create panic and put undue pressure on the government to accept their controversial demands. A glaring example of this violence occurred on December 13, when BNP-Jamaat workers deliberately removed a 20-foot section of railway track. As a result the Mohanganj Express train bound for Dhaka derailed. One person was killed and more than 50 passengers were injured in the accident that occurred around 4 am. This incident is a direct result of the 36-hour blockade called by BNP. It is also an example of how dangerous lengths these groups will go to disrupt national stability.
On December 19, at least four passengers, including a woman and her three-year-old son, were killed when vandals set fire to three compartments of the Mohanganj Express in Dhaka's Tejgaon railway station area. The activities of the BNP-Jamaat alliance extend beyond political unrest; they have caused massive damage to citizens' bodies and government property. Police and district administration officials have uncovered evidence linking the groups to the incident, including gas cylinders used to cut railway tracks.
The statement mentioned that this type of attack targeting trains is not new. The BNP-Jamaat alliance was involved in similar acts of violence between 2013 and 2015, including the torching of nearly 4,000 vehicles and several train fires. The recent resurgence of such tactics indicates a return to destructive methods.
After the BNP's anti-government rally on October 28, around 400 cars were burnt across the country. Their strike-and-block strategy in the run-up to elections is a worrying repeat of past actions. The BNP-Jamaat alliance has not only caused physical and property damage but also attacked essential services including police hospitals and ambulances to achieve political objectives.
The local administration, police and fire department responded quickly to the derailment of the Mohanganj Express. Two suspects involved in the sabotage have been arrested. The investigation revealed that the act was premeditated. Meetings were held to plan this deadly task. This sabotage is a direct attack on the state and the people, aimed at disrupting the next elections and progress of the nation.
As elections approach, the government and people of Bangladesh are taking a firm stand against terrorism and such violence. Despite these challenges, they are determined to maintain peace and continue the socio-economic development of the country.