The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested four people on Monday for torching a bus of “Basumati Paribahan” in Dhaka’s Mirpur area on Saturday.
The arrestees are Md Sagor, 25, Al Mohammad Chan, 27, Md Al Amin Rubel, 29; and Md Khorshed Alam, 34.
Members of RAB conducted a drive last night in Mirpur and arrested them, Commander Khandker Al Moin, director of the Legal and Media Wing of the force, said.
The arrestees are members of an opposition party and were involved in the incident. One of them planned the attack under the direction of top leaders of their party, the RAB official said at a press conference in the capital on Tuesday.
On Saturday, a “Basumati Paribahan” bus was set on fire around 11:30pm in Mirpur’s Kalshi area.
RAB said the force had increased its surveillance after the incident and as a result, they managed to nab the suspects during a raid on Monday.
The RAB official said Chan received Tk10,000 to pay each of his aides for the attack, but in reality, he paid Tk7,000 each.
Chan had taken 250ml petrol from his friend’s motorcycle and put it in an energy drink can. Later, the can was handed over to Al Amin.
As per direction of senior leaders of a party, Sagar and Al Amin poured the petrol on the “Basumati Paribahan” bus and set it on fire. At the time, Chan was close to the scene and observed the entire operation. He also captured video footage of the incident and sent them to leaders of a political party, Khandker Al Moin added.
He said the arrestees were also involved with arson and vandalism in the capital’s Paltan area on October 28.
Legal steps will be taken against the arrestees, he further said.
