TIB denounces arson attacks

Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday denounced arson attacks as a means of advancing political agendas or protests by political parties.

The recent horrifying incidents involving the murder of four individuals, including a three-year-old, in an arson attack on a train, fire assaults on public transport, and sabotage on rail tracks, have prompted TIB to call for an immediate cessation of destructive political manoeuvres that result in the loss of innocent lives and state assets, it said in a statement.

The tragic incident at the Tejgaon rail station where miscreants set fire to three compartments yesterday killing four individuals, is of grave concern, added the statement.

TIB emphasised that such incidents cannot be isolated, and any arson attacks, sabotage of rail infrastructure, or similar actions in the lead-up to the election cannot be justified as legitimate expressions of democratic rights or protests.

The act of burning people alive can never be a means of promoting political agenda. It is unjustifiable to try to serve a political purpose capitalising on violence.

— Dr Iftekharuzzaman TIB executive director

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, said, "The act of burning people alive can never be a means of promoting political agenda. No political party should use such means at the expense of human lives. It is unjustifiable to try to serve a political purpose capitalising on violence that kills people."

"Using human lives as a means to achieve political goals has regrettably become a prevailing political culture in our country. We urgently call upon all concerned to refrain from any use of force and abstain from politics that leads to loss of life, particularly in the run-up to the election. This is critical to prevent the rise of undemocratic forces," he said.

"While the agitating political parties must bear responsibility for ongoing atrocities during protests, it is equally incumbent upon the government and relevant state agencies to transparently address any allegations of their involvement in such attacks," he added.

"Our unequivocal goal is a genuinely free, fair, inclusive, and peaceful election. Engaging in politics of brutality cannot be a means to demand people's voting rights. Moreover, all government actions must protect citizens' rights and ensure justice without resorting to force, arbitrary detention, or suppression of freedom of speech and association. We want control of violence, we want accountability for violence, but no politics in the name of justice."