BGB deployed in four dists

The government has deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) across Dhaka, Gopalganj, Faridpur, and Madaripur to assist in maintaining law and order amid a recent surge in violence ahead of Monday's verdict against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
BGB Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam said on Sunday that personnel are conducting intensified foot and vehicle patrols in high-risk areas, including transport hubs, market zones, and major roadways. Checkpoints have been established at strategic entry and exit points, while both human intelligence and technological monitoring have been stepped up.
"The deployment is a proactive measure to prevent further unrest and ensure civilian safety amid a recent spike in violent incidents," Mr Islam said. Authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The move follows a week marked by multiple crude bomb explosions-commonly referred to as "cocktail blasts"-and deliberate arson attacks on buses and stretches of highways.
Meanwhile, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said the law and order in the country is satisfactory, reports BSS.
"The law and order is not excellent, but not very bad. It's satisfactory," he told journalists after a meeting of views exchange with the field level officer of the law enforcement agencies at Barishal district Police Lines.
The home adviser said law enforcement agencies at field level are ready to hold the forthcoming parliamentary election peacefully and in a free, fair and festive manner.
Pedestrian injured in city crude bomb blast
A pedestrian was injured Sunday morning in a crude bomb blast on New Eskaton Road in Dhaka, while other explosions occurred Saturday at Madhubagh Bridge in Hatirjheel and in front of the Asian Development Bank in Agargaon, though no casualties were reported in the latter incidents. Police have launched manhunts to apprehend the suspects.
Miscreants set a bus on fire on Dhaka-Aricha Highway near Rajfulbaria stand in Savar on Saturday night and early Sunday.
Saleh Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Savar Highway Police, said three miscreants, riding on a motorbike, set a stationery bus of Itihas Paribahan on fire around 3:30am and fled the scene.
A firefighting unit rushed to the spot and doused the flame. Police are trying to arrest the arsonists, said the OC.
DMP chief orders open fire
In response to the unrest, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali on Sunday directed officers to open fire on anyone attempting to set vehicles alight or throw crude bombs in the capital.
"I instructed over the wireless that anyone who sets a bus on fire or attempts to kill by throwing petrol bombs should be shot. This is provided for in our law," the DMP commissioner told the media.
The directive comes amid heightened tensions ahead of the International Crimes Tribunal verdict in the trial of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity during the July uprising, scheduled to be announced today.
The banned Awami League has called for protests and a "Dhaka lockdown," with a two-day online shutdown starting Sunday.
DMP officials said the order aims to bolster police morale, citing Section 96 of the Penal Code, which states that "nothing done in the exercise of the right to private defence is an offence."
A similar directive was issued last week by Chattogram Metropolitan Police following targeted killings, though human rights group Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed concern over such orders, saying shooting suspects without due process is "in no way acceptable."

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com