Truck driver burnt in Noakhali

A petrol bomb has been lobbed at a truck, leaving its driver burnt in Noakhali amid the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami’s nationwide transport blockade.

Troublemakers also set fire to a stationary covered van at the town’s Maizdi area.

Police identified the truck driver as Majurul Islam Manjur, 27.

Senbag police OC Mominul Islam said the incident had occurred around 9pm on Thursday night.

Manjur was rushed to a local health centre.

The cement-laden truck set off from Chittagong. Pro-blockade supporters hurled a petrol bomb at it around the Upazila’s Sebarhat area on Feni-Noakhali highway.

The locals doused the flamed and took the driver to the hospital.

Manjur suffered burns on both hands, doctors said.

The culprits had fled by the time the police reached the spot, said the OC.

Meanwhile, pro-blockade supporters also set fire to a covered van after dragging its driver out in front of Mohammadia Hotel in Maizdi early on Friday.

Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, said Sudharam police OC Anwar Hossain.

Police have detained 14 BNP-Jamaat activists in raids around the city till Friday morning.

Police Superintendent Md Iliachh Sharif said the detained were charged with indulging in acts of violence during the blockade and shutdowns.