Another Shahbagh bus victim dies

Yet another passenger has died of burn injuries suffered during an arson attack on a bus at Shabag in capital Dhaka, allegedly by Opposition activists.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 Nov 2013, 11:30 AM
Updated : 29 Nov 2013, 11:30 AM

Robin Munshi, 18, a garment worker, died around 3:30pm on Friday while undergoing treatment at the burn unit of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Rabin had suffered 59 percent burns, said Dr Samanta Lal Sen, burn unit coordinator.

Robins’s cousin Nahid Morol, who was also injured, had died around midnight on Thursday.

Sixteen other bus passengers, including bank executives, a government official, student, lawyer, journalist and a police official are currently being treated for burns at the hospital.

Awami League leaders and activists have accused Opposition activists of killing people by torching vehicles during their general strike and blockade programmes.

But the BNP’s acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir blamed 'agents' for the Shahbag arson in a statement issued on Thursday night.

Police said a Molotov cocktail had been hurled at the Mirpur-bound 'Bihanga Paribahan' bus, setting it on fire with commuters inside.

The incident took place in front of the Matsya Bhaban around 6:30pm on Thursday while a 71-hour nationwide transport blockade was being enforced by the 18-Party Alliance.

The bus was on its way to Mirpur when it was set alight, said one of its passengers, Rupali Bank executive ‘Masuma’.

The passengers saw the bus was on fire when it reached the Matsya Bhaban, triggering a frantic effort to get out. The driver did not stop the vehicle at once but continued to run it until it had reached Ramna Park's 'Astachal' gate.