Tense countdown: Day of arson, blasts grips city ahead of Hasina’s ICT verdict date, AL lockdown

Recap:

• 32 crude bomb blasts reported in Dhaka over three days
• 14 buses torched in Dhaka and other districts
• Four bombs seized from Election Commission Secretariat at Agargaon
• 60,000 security personnel deployed nationwide for law and order
• 44 Awami League leaders arrested, totaling over 600 in 12 days
• Schools shift online; classes and exams suspended in multiple institutions
• Petrol bomb attack on Mohammadpur school; no casualties reported
• Dhaka roads deserted amid fear of attacks; Ordinary citizens affected amid political unrest
• Police claim bombs are low-quality; raids and checkpoints ongoing

Security forces are on maximum alert nationwide, centring the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict date announcement expected on Thursday in a crimes against humanity case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and a dawn-to-dusk lockdown called by her banned party Awami League.

A large number of army, police, and border guards have been deployed at airports and key installations nationwide, with around 60,000 personnel in and around Dhaka to maintain order and public safety, home ministry sources said.

Sources said there would be no leniency for the banned Awami League's lockdown programme, with mass raids conducted last night at hotels, messes, and other establishments to ensure public safety.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that, except for a few isolated incidents, law and order across the country remains normal. "There is no reason to be concerned about 13 November. The people of Dhaka, along with the army, BGB, and police, will prevent any untoward incidents. Extensive security measures are in place," said DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali.

However, DMP has reported at least 32 crude bomb explosions in the last three days. Two crude bombs went off at TSC around 9:30pm on Wednesday, said Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of DMP Ramna division.

Police yesterday seized four crude bombs from inside the compound of the Election Commission Secretariat at Agargaon in the capital, reports BSS.

Yesterday, many roads in Dhaka were unusually empty amid panic following a series of crude bomb explosions and arson attacks on vehicles. Such attacks have been carried out over the past few days in the capital and other parts of the country.

Md Sohel, owner of an Alif Paribahan bus in Ashulia, which was set on fire early Wednesday morning, said, "This bus was my only means of livelihood. We don't know who is behind this. I have no personal enmity with anyone, and I am not affiliated with any political party." 

The fire, which occurred around 3:45am, destroyed the bus. Sohel demanded justice and compensation for his loss.

The attacks were not limited to Ashulia – three buses in Gazipur were also set ablaze.

Including Dhaka, at least 14 buses have been torched, and several crude bomb explosions have taken place across multiple districts over the past three days. Such incidents have disrupted the lives of transport workers, students, and ordinary citizens.

Police, however, tried to downplay the arson and bomb attacks.

Regarding the bomb blasts, DMP Deputy Commissioner (media and public relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman said, "These are very low-quality, homemade firecrackers. There is no reason to panic. We are working to identify those involved in the attacks."

Arrests of AL leaders, activists continue 

Meanwhile, supporters of banned Awami League have also held flash rallies nationwide, and police launched operations to arrest party leaders and activists, while security forces have set up checkpoints and vehicle searches on major roads.

The DMP yesterday said that its Detective Branch (DB) has arrested 44 more leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliates, bringing the total to over 600 arrests in the past 12 days.

Since Wednesday morning, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed to secure key areas in the capital, including Hotel Intercontinental in Shahbagh, the High Court, the Curzon Hall area of Dhaka University, and Mintu Road. Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members have also been stationed along important roads, including Kakrail.

Shariful Islam, BGB's public relations officer, said a total of 14 platoons – 12 in Dhaka and two in nearby districts – have been deployed to maintain law and order and ensure security in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur. The deployment will continue until further notice.

Bomb attack on Dhaka school; in-person classes suspended

In the wee hours of Wednesday, miscreants hurled two petrol bombs in front of a preparatory school on Iqbal Road in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. No casualties were reported. Police and RAB personnel have since been deployed to secure the school. Following the incident, all exams were postponed. 

Several schools, including European Standard School and Sunbeam School, have announced that all Thursday classes will be conducted online.

Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology postponed all classes and exams on November 12-13 and suspended shuttle and bus services until further notice. The university will announce decisions after monitoring the situation. Last Monday, a bus belonging to the university was set on fire in Dhanmondi.

The American International University-Bangladesh has also shifted all Thursday classes online.

Crime analysts say the wave of public killings, crude bomb attacks, and vehicle arson is creating widespread fear among ordinary citizens. Before the 2013 general elections, similar vehicle arson incidents occurred.

Md Tawohidul Haque, an associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University and a crime expert, said, "The miscreants are taking advantage of the blame game between political parties."

Highlighting the direct link between law and order and elections, he said that, with a deteriorating law-and-order situation, ordinary citizens or voters might not participate in the upcoming elections.

The analyst urged political parties to move away from the political culture of holding citizens hostage to fulfil political demands.