4 burnt in Dhaka firebombing

Firebombing on a bus at Dhaka's Banasree has left four persons badly burnt.

Private channel Ekattor TV's staff reporter Arefin Shakil was among the victims.

The other victims were identified as Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology student Kuntala Shikdar, her sister Rabina Karim and rickshaw-puller Mohammed Najim.

All four were admitted to the burns unit of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) around 9pm on Sunday.

At least 60 people have died in fire-bombings since the BNP-sponsored nationwide transport blockade started on Jan 5.

In DMCH alone, 130 burnt victims have been treated so far. Including Sunday's victims, 53 people are admitted there.

Kuntala Shikdar told journalists at DMCH that they were travelling in a bus of 'Alif Paribahan' from Banasree to Badda.

Miscreants lobbed petrol bombs at the bus near Yamini Fast Food at Banasree, she said.

Two fire-fighting units rushed to the spot and tamed the fire, said Fire Service control room official Brajen Kumar Sarkar.

DMCH police outpost Inspector Mozzamel Haque said Shakil's left hand was burnt, while Kuntala and Najim suffered burns on both hands. Rabina suffered burns all over her body.

Five persons were injured when crude bombs were lobbed at Gate 1 and 4 of New Market, while one each was injured by bomb splinters at explosions at Bangshal and in front of Sir AF Rahman Hall at Dhaka University.

But these seven were let off after first aid, said Haque.