Valuables worth Tk 2-3 billion damaged in BTV attack: DG

Valuables worth around Tk 2.0-3.0 billion were damaged during the arson attack on Bangladesh Television (BTV) building amid student protest over quota reform on July 18, reports UNB.

"How much valuables were gutted or destroyed could not be ascertained yet but primarily it can be said valuables worth around Tk 2.0-3.0 billion were gutted in the arson attack", Director General of BTV DrMd Jahangir Alam said.

Most of the valuables of the three-storey BTV building were gutted.

"The attackers first vandalised the main gate of the building around 11:00 am and then set fire to the reception desk around 2:00 pm. Later, they torched 17 vehicles parked on the premises of the BTV building. Nine vehicles were also vandalised. Some 100 staffers tried to resist the attackers but failed," he added.

Meanwhile, the attackers also vandalised two vehicles of Fire Service while those were heading towards BTV building and forced them to return, said Dr Jahangir.

Besides, a vehicle, which was used for live telecast in different parts of the country, was also set on fire and the market value of the vehicle is Tk 60-70 billion, he said.

Apart from that, the attackers also set fire on the design section and Dhaka centre, he added.

Around 8:00 pm, all officials and staff of the BTV came out from the building fearing danger.

"We managed to save the control room after disconnecting the electricity line," he said.

"There were valuables worth Tk 20 million at the design section. 100-year-old and 50-year-old memories, houses, war-time equipment and other valuables kept at the design section were gutted," he said.

Besides, the Bangabandhu Meuseum was also gutted. Pillars, servers, office rooms, laptops, computer labs, news programme and display TV were also damaged.

"Perhaps there was something flammable substance which helped to spread the fire fast," he said.

In the meantime, three separate committees were formed to probe the attack and the committees will assess the extent of the damages caused by the arson attack.