Fire of a train one day before election indicates a clear purpose to obstruct the democratic process

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen, every effort would be made to find the people responsible for the horrible act of igniting a train.

"Everyone will be brought to justice and exemplary punishment shall be rendered to the culprit(s), according to the law of the land," he stated in a statement on saturday.

Momen remarked that the obvious attempt to spread fear and terror among the populace is an insult to the democratic spirit and the eagerness with which Bangladeshi citizens are participating in the impending election.
The act of igniting a train while individuals are inside is reminiscent of the violent pattern we have previously seen. This has shaken the conscience of not just our society but the entire world, he declared.

Momen noted that on the evening of January 5, 2024, while people in Bangladesh were excitedly getting ready for a joyous national election, a horrible act of arson occurred when miscreants purposefully set fire to the Benapole Express train.

Four persons, including two children, have died as a result of this intentional and horrific crime, which happened at around 9 p.m. in the Gopibag Kacha Bazar area while the train was travelling to Kamalapur Railway Station. Numerous others have also been injured, he said.
"This disgusting event, surely planned by people with ill intentions, goes right to the core of our democratic principles," stated Momen.

"The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election scheduled for January 7, 2024, shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country," he stated.

Momen described it as a serious breach of citizens' rights as well as an insult to democracy and the democratic process.

"This deliberate act of setting a train on fire, where innocent passengers were subjected to unimaginable horror and forced to endure the unforgivable sight of fellow humans being burned alive, is an act of absolute abomination," Momen said.