A wave of crude bomb explosions, bus arson and suspected sabotage across Dhaka and several districts has heightened public anxiety, with people increasingly afraid to travel.
The death of a sleeping bus driver in a fire in Faridpur has added to concerns over safety on the roads.
Incidents have been reported in Dhaka, Gazipur, Manikganj, Gopalganj, Faridpur, Chittagong and other districts in recent days, targeting major roads, bus terminals, educational institutions and government establishments.
Police have blamed supporters of a banned political organisation for the incidents, while opposition lawmakers have accused the government of failing to maintain law and order. The government, however, says isolated incidents do not reflect an overall deterioration in the security situation.
On Monday, at least 15 crude bomb explosions and two bus arson attacks were reported in different parts of Dhaka. A bus was set on fire beneath Farmgate Metro Rail Station, while another parked bus was torched in Mirpur-11. Explosions were also reported near Dhaka University, the CMM Court premises, Tejgaon, Uttara, Adabor and Banani.
Outside the capital, two buses were set on fire at separate times in Chandura, Gazipur. Manikganj reported explosions near the deputy commissioner’s office, the police superintendent’s residence and other locations. Similar incidents occurred in Gopalganj, while police reported arrests and the recovery of explosives in several districts.
In Faridpur, bus driver Kalachan Sheikh died after a fire broke out in a parked bus at the new bus terminal early Tuesday. He was sleeping inside and was taken to hospital after becoming ill from smoke inhalation, but doctors declared him dead.
The incidents have alarmed parents, commuters and transport workers. One mother in Mohammadpur said she sent her daughter to school only because she had an examination, adding that she would otherwise have kept her home. Other parents said the frequent explosions and arson attacks had made them afraid to take their children outside.
Business owners and drivers also reported a decline in evening activity. A driver said he continued working despite the risks because he had no alternative, asking where transport workers’ safety could be guaranteed.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Md Akter Hossain said the incidents were being investigated and several people had been arrested. He said at least 33 people were caught in connection with explosions and sabotage attempts in the capital over the previous 24 hours, although the political affiliations of all those detained had not been established.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said police would take legal action against those responsible, describing them as criminals.
In parliament on Tuesday, opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam accused the government of failing to control the deteriorating law and order situation. Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman also questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.
In response, Salahuddin said authorities were taking action and argued that a handful of incidents did not prove that the country’s overall security situation had become critical. He alleged that ousted forces were attempting to destabilise the country, with possible support from across the border.
University of Dhaka criminologist Dr Touhidul Haque said the perpetrators, their political identities and motives must be established through investigation rather than speculation. He called for stronger law enforcement and intelligence surveillance, while stressing that the government, police, elected representatives and other stakeholders must work together without harassing innocent people.