Seven Detained by DB Over Bus Arson in Jhenaidah, Including Anti-Discrimination Student Convener

Local Corresponddent

The District Detective Branch (DB) has arrested seven people, including the convener of the District Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Saidur Rahman, on charges of setting three buses on fire at the central bus terminal in Jhenaidah city on Sunday (March 8) night.

The detainees were arrested from different areas of the city around 2 am.

Those arrested are:

• Saidur Rahman, convener of the district anti-discrimination student movement
• Member Secretary Ashikur Rahman Jiban
• Senior Joint Convener Tawfiq Hasan
• Joint Convener Antar Hossain Riju
• Abu Hasnat Tanaim, convener of The Red July
• Humayun Kabir, former joint convener of the district committee of the anti-discrimination student movement
• The name of the other person has not yet been released.

According to police sources, Fardin Ahmed Nirab (22/25), a leader of the anti-discrimination student movement, was killed on Saturday (March 7) night after being beaten by salespeople while trying to buy fuel at the city’s Taj Filling Station.

Following this incident, agitated members of the Baishahiya vandalized the Taj Filling Station and another pump that night and set fire to three buses, namely J Line, Royal Paribahan and Golden Line, parked at the Central Bus Terminal. As a result, the buses were burnt to ashes.

Transport workers blocked the Jhenaidah-Dhaka, Jhenaidah-Khulna and Jhenaidah-Rajshahi highways since this morning (Monday), disrupting traffic. Following the incident, DB police conducted a drive and arrested the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement last night.

An official of the district detective police said, “Preparations are underway to file a case against the arrested people on charges of incitement to arson, vandalism and murder. They are being interrogated and detailed information is being collected.”

Local transport workers have threatened to stage a strong protest over the incident and demanded speedy trial of the culprits. On the other hand, anti-discrimination student movement activists have announced a protest demanding the release of the detainees.

The process of filing a case in the case of Nirab’s death at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station is underway and RAB has already arrested three employees.