Arson attack

Firefighters douse smouldering remains after an arson attack on at least 20 business establishments at Loharpool Dhal of Kamrangirchar yesterday. Several other business establishments were looted by the attackers. Photo: Star

In broad daylight, a group of criminals attacked and set fire to at least 25 business establishments and looted cash and valuables injuring 30 people in the process at Kamrangirchar in the capital yesterday.
Locals said ruling party cadres equipped with firearms, sharp weapons, hockey sticks and bamboos made the attack at Ashrafabad around 10:30am. They set fire to at least six plastic factories, four sawmills and 10 shops and looted several other business establishments.
As the employees of the establishments tried to protect valuables, the criminals attacked them injuring at least 30 people.
A source said a dispute over land might have been the reason for the attack while another source said illegal toll collection was the reason.
News agency UNB reported that several affected shop owners alleged that the attack was made to grab land.
Local lawmaker and State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam visited the spot and assured the victims that the criminals would be punished.
Strangely, the fire service said the fire might have originated from an electric short circuit.
Talking to The Daily Star Quamrul Islam said a number of ruling party men were allegedly involved in the attack.
"During my spot visit, I received several names of people who were involved in the violence and I already directed police to arrest them within 24 hours," the state minister said.
He said he does not know why the attack was made.
Additional Deputy Commissioner AHM Kamruzzaman of Lalbagh zone told The Daily Star local criminals made the attack.
Habibur Rahman, one of the owners of the land where the incident took place, last night filed a case against 12 locals and around 90 unidentified people for the attack.
"The cadres looted the cashboxes, valuables and set fire to the shops, factories and sawmills pouring kerosene," said a plastic factory employee Yasmin, adding, "As we requested them to let us get out, they beat us up."
Injured Mohammad Sohel said the attackers beat him and his two colleagues up as they tried to protect their shop.
A female plastic factory worker, who was also injured in the attack, said she recognised a few of the attackers who belonged to a gang led by Shaon of Nurbagh.
Locals claimed that there was a police van and a Rab vehicle near the scene at that time but they did nothing.
Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said 10 fire engines from its headquarters, Sadarghat, Lalbagh and Palashi stations put out all the fires around noon.
Manikuzzaman, senior station officer of Lalbagh fire station, told The Daily Star that the fire might have originated from an electric short circuit. He said it was their preliminary report and a team has been formed to find the cause.