Bus set on fire in Gulistan

A bus was set on fire in Dhaka's Gulistan area on Monday, the second-day of the nationwide blockade called by BNP-Jamaat.

The bus “Bikalpa Paribahan” was set on fire in front of Bangabandhu Square Hall Market at around 2pm.

The fire has been doused by two units of Siddikbazar Fire Service and Civil Defence. No casualties have been reported.

Bus driver Shakib said there were 19 passengers inside the bus when it was set on fire.

He said he noticed there was a fire when the passengers of the moving bus started shouting.

Hakim, a local hawker, said: "We saw a bus coming from a distance which was on fire. Later we tried to douse the blaze with water.”

Police said the fire may have been fire from the outside, while it was still moving, as the passengers kept their windows open.

The second day of the 48-hour nationwide blockade called by BNP-Jamaat is underway on Monday.

Since morning, the roads in Dhaka remained relatively calm, with minimal traffic and limited public transportation visible.

In areas such as Gulistan, Paltan, Press Club, Shahbagh, Banglamotor, Kawran Bazar, Farmget, Kalabagan, Asadget, Kollayanpur, and Gabtoli, commuters were seen waiting at bus stops, but buses were reportedly arriving late.

Meanwhile, a total of 18 arsons were reported across the country from 4am on Sunday to 10am on Monday, the fire service has said.

Of these 10 arson attacks were reported in the two Dhaka city corporations, UNB quoted Talha Bin Jasim, station officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence media cell, as saying on Monday.