Railway beefs up firefighting steps

Bangladesh Railway has started to keep extra fire extinguishers inside trains as a precautionary measure against arson attacks on vehicles amid the ongoing blockade.

The move aims at ensuring safety of passengers and protecting public property, said railway sources.

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The railway had already started to supply the fire extinguishers to the trains plying under its east zone few days ago, said the zone's chief mechanical engineer (CME) Md Harun-ar-Rashid.

Usually, there are two fire extinguishers in a locomotive but an extra one is being placed there, he said, adding addition extinguishers were being kept in the other compartments 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 move had been taken on “security ground” amid the opposition programme.

Fear of arson attacks that have been the ugliest aspect of the blockade has gripped travelers.

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 also threw a crude bomb at “Bijoy Express” in Mymensingh, leaving one injured, said sources.

Alleged blockade supporters have 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.