• Source:PTI
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Bangladesh Train Fire: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party in the country, has demanded a UN-supervised investigation into a fire on a passenger train that killed four persons, calling it a "pre-planned" act of sabotage ahead of the general elections.

BNP senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed concern over the casualties due to arson by miscreants on the Benapole Express train. "There is no doubt that the Benapole Express train fire was an act of sabotage, leading to the loss of life," news agency PTI quoted Rizvi as saying. He termed the act an "inhuman brutal atrocity against humanity" and called for an UN-supervised investigation into the incident.

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Four Killed Bangladesh Train Fire

At least four people, including two children, were killed and many injured after suspected arsonists set a passenger train on fire. The incident took place on Friday when four carriages of the Benapole Express train was coming from the port town of Benapole, bordering India, to Dhaka. Deputy Assistant Director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell Shahjahan Sikder said they recovered four bodies from the gutted coaches of the train.

Benapole Express Train Fire: CID, Forensic Team Start Probe

After arsonists set the Benapole Express train on fire, the Bangladesh CID, along with a forensic team, arrived at the Kamlapur Railway station where the railway coaches are being shifted for the investigation. The CID is gathering evidence from the train that was set on fire.

Sheikh Hasina On Bangladesh Train Fire

Expressing a deep shock and sorrow at the loss of four lives in the Benapole Express train fire, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the authorities concerned to investigate whether the fire was an act of sabotage. She also commended the authorities to act quickly to assist the injured and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls.

Bangladesh General Election 2024 

Bangladesh is all set to hold much-awaited general elections on January 7. More than 100 foreign observers, including three from India, have reached Dhaka to monitor the general election.

The election is set to take place amid mounting political tensions as BNP and its far-right allies like the Jamaat-e-Islami have waged a street campaign demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina’s government to allow a non-party interim government to conduct the general elections.

(With Inputs From Agencies)