Bangladesh Railway has started to keep extra fire extinguishers inside trains as a precautionary measure against arson attacks amid the ongoing blockade. The move aims at ensuring safety of passengers and protecting public properties, said railway sources. The railway had already started supplying the fire extinguishers a few days ago to the trains plying under its east zone, said the zone's chief
mechanical engineer (CME) Harun-ur-Rashid. Usually, there are two fire extinguishers in a locomotive but an extra one is being kept there, he said, adding addition extinguishers were being placed in the other compartments of trains as well. Abdul Matin Chowdhury, BR west zone CME, said the trains plying under the zone were also being provided with extra fire extinguishers. BR Director General Amzad Hossain said the initiative had been taken on “security grounds”. Fear of arson attacks that have been the ugliest aspect of the blockade has gripped travellers. An official of the railway's east zone, seeking not to be named, said at least three arson attacks had been carried out on trains since the beginning of the blockade on January 6. Petrol bombs were hurled at “Jalalabad Express” in Kulaura of Moulvibazar and two container trains in Amirganj of Narsingdi and Sharshadi of Feni at different times, he added. Besides, pickets threw a crude bomb at “Bijoy Express” in Mymensingh, leaving one injured, said sources. Alleged blockade supporters also uprooted rail tracks and removed fishplates at many places, injuring over 51 passengers following derailments. On January 12, 8,328 Ansar and Village Defence Party members were deployed across the country to safeguard rail tracks and keep the train communication normal. Advertisement
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