The law enforcers are yet to make a breakthrough in the crude bomb blasts across Dhaka in the last 10 days.
Nine blasts were reported in front of Dhaka University’s Madhu's Canteen compound, in front of the BNP headquarters in Naya Paltan and the Engineer’s Institution area.
However, law enforcers are reluctant to comment on the matter saying that until those who are involved are arrested, nothing can be said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said in a media briefing that these crude bombs are not improvised explosive devices and merely make noise when they go off.
Several DMP employees said that these bombs are being hurled to create an atmosphere of terror in the city.
Meanwhile, the blasts were reported where BNP’s student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists were present.
On Dec 30, JCD announced its 60-member central committee. Investigators are of the view that those who lost out on posts might be behind the blasts.
The ruling party’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League’s DU unit chief Sanjit Chandra said, “We noticed that the blasts have increased since the formation of Chhatra Dal [JCD] committee. Those deprived of posts might be behind it.”
However, Chhatra Dal activists Rashed Iqbal Khan who had protested when the partial committee was announced denied being involved.
He said that losing out on posts had nothing to do with the blasts. “After the committee was formed we spoke to the party high command. We are no longer worried about posts.”
Khan added that they have been instructed to remain active with the bigger issues in the political arena.
Chhatra Dal chief Fazlur Rahman echoed Khan and said these blasts were meant to terrorise the activists and harass them.
Another Chhatra Dal leader speaking on the condition of anonymity claimed that these blasts were being carried out by the government to harass BNP and JCD.
On Dec 21, three crude bombs went off in front of BNP headquarters. Four days later, a blast occurred at Madhur Canteen compound followed by that at Paltan the next day. On Dec 29 and 30 bombs went off in front of Madhur Canteen again.
The last explosion was reported from the Engineer Institution area on Jan 1 where Chhatra Dal’s 41st founding anniversary programs were taking place.
Shahbag police OC Abul Hasan said that not only have they been unable to detain anyone, but it was also difficult to find out from where they were hurled.
“We are alert so that these incidents are not repeated,” he told Bangla Tribune.
DMP Ramna Zone Deputy Commissioner Sazzadur Rahman said that the intelligence agencies are trying to catch those responsible and bring them to the book.