Crude bomb explosion on Barishal court premises sparks panic

A crude bomb exploded on the Barishal court premises this morning (12 August), triggering panic among litigants and lawyers. No casualties were reported.

The explosion occurred around 10:15am in front of the Judicial Building near the main entrance to the court premises.

Following the incident, members of law enforcement agencies inspected the scene. Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abu Raihan Muhammad Saleh and judges of the Barishal court also visited the spot.

Barishal Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court Public Prosecutor Advocate Nazim Uddin Ahmed Panna said they suspected that "anti-democratic forces" might be behind the incident.

Advocate HM Taslim Uddin said he believed that "associates of the fascists" who were still roaming freely were behind the incident. He also said the country had become unstable because they had not been arrested.

He added that the people and nationalist forces were on the ground to resist those attempting to create unrest in the country.

Advocate AKM Mir Zahidul Kabir said they believed that "associates of the fascists" had detonated the crude bomb with the intention of carrying out sabotage.

Noting that the law minister is scheduled to visit Barishal on 16 August, he said a group was trying to disrupt the prevailing peaceful environment.

Barishal Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Sushanta Sarkar said a CID team had started investigating the incident.

"Further details can be provided after receiving the investigation report," he said.

Security has been tightened significantly in and around the court premises following the explosion.