Law enforcers have failed to identify any of the individuals who torched three coaches of a moving train in Tejgaon on December 19, killing four people, including a woman and her child.
The tragic incident shocked the nation, and the delay in identifying the arsonists has left everyone dismayed.
Soon after the attack on the Mohongonj Express, law enforcement and intelligence agencies strengthened security at railway stations and carried out raids in different places to nab the culprits.
Moreover, Bangladesh Railway formed a five-member committee to investigate the fire. The committee, headed by Dhaka Divisional Chief Transport Officer (DTO) Khairul Islam, was given five days to complete its investigation.
However, the findings of the investigation could not be known.
Officials at the fire service headquarters on Saturday said they had no new information to share with the media. Seeking anonymity, a senior official told Dhaka Tribune that it had been an act of sabotage, perpetrated by arsonists using petrol or similar flammable liquid.
The latest arson attack on the Benapole Express on Friday night, which left four dead, is of the same nature, according to the official.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said last month that it had detained nine people in connection with the Tejgaon attack, but later said that the suspects had no involvement in it.
On the other hand, the Detective Branch (DB) of the police said it was analyzing CCTV footage and had gotten the names of some suspects.
DB chief Additional Commissioner Harunor Rashid said on December 21 that the incident was linked to other arson attacks that had occurred since October 28 in an attempt to foil the national election and create panic among the general public.
However, the detectives have not been able to arrest any of the culprits till now.
After primary inspection, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) said the arsonists had boarded the train from Dhaka Airport Railway Station and set the compartments on fire using petrol.
On December 13, miscreants cut off 20 feet of railway track in Rajendrapur of Gazipur, causing six coaches of the Mohonganj Express, running from Netrokona to Dhaka, to derail. One person was killed and around 50 passengers were injured.
On November 22, the Upaban Express was set on fire while it was parked at Sylhet Railway Station. Although there were no casualties, one compartment was damaged.
Earlier, the Jamuna Express was set ablaze in Jamalpur on November 19, which damaged two coaches, and a commuter train in Tangail on November 16 before that.
On the other hand, the railway authorities have reported around 10 incidents of derailment since October 29.
According to the fire service, around 300 vehicles, including buses, trucks, covered vans and motorcycles, and over a dozen structures were damaged in incidents across the country.
Blame game, condemnations
The BNP has condemned the attacks and demanded proper investigations into them. The party has denied responsibility for the arsons, blaming the ruling party for carrying out the attacks to frame the opposition and foil its anti-government movement.
The ruling Awami League as well as law enforcement agencies have pointed their fingers at the BNP for carrying out the December 19 attack and other arsons since October 29, when the party started enforcing hartals and blockades across the country.
Extending its condolences to the victims of the attack, the United Nations also called for a full investigation into the arson attack and to bring those responsible to justice.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry later said the local administration, police and fire service had responded "swiftly" to the Mohonganj Express derailment caused by removed railway tracks in Gazipur on December 13. Moreover, those arrested in this connection had revealed a plot and given confessional statements, it added.
"Investigations suggest that this act was premeditated, with meetings held to plan this deadly act. This sabotage is a direct attack on the state and its people, aiming to disrupt the upcoming election and the nation's progress," said the ministry.