Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its profound concern and rebuke over on-going arson, casualties caused by petrol bomb attacks during blockade and strike called by BNP-led 20 party alliances across the country and “crossfire”, excessive coercion and mass arrest by law enforcement agencies.

In the early hours of 3 February 2015, a petrol bomb attack occurred on a Dhaka-bound bus of Icon transportation in Chauddagram Municipality of Comilla which left 7 passengers dead on the spot while 16 others injured severely. On 2 February 2015, due to hurling petrol bombs on a moving train at Gazipur injured 5 passengers and 6 passengers on trucks in Rajshahi and Bogra. Moreover, setting fire, vandalism along with cocktail-bomb attacks on vehicles has been occurring throughout the country along with train derailment by removing fishplates and clips from track. According to the statistics from media, till the 29^th day of the countrywide nonstop blockade, 24 persons died due to petrol bomb attacks and total death toll climbed up to 46. Under these circumstances, people are experiencing extreme insecurity and putting the democratic system of the country at stake.

On the other hand, the law enforcement agencies have adopted excessive coercion strategy during this situation. According to media and ASK Documentation, from 1 January to 3February 2015, 15 people have been the victims of ‘extra-judicial killing’. Apart from anxiety and harassment in public life, education of children is being severely hampered due to political unrest.  Ongoing blockade will coincide with Secondary School Certificate examinations and in this way uncertainty lingers for the examinees. We recall that, according to Article 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, no person shall be deprived of life and personal liberties save in accordance with law and this is a fundamental right of citizens’ of the country. The continuous arsons and ‘extra-judicial killings’ are seriously diminishing citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) is addressing all the opposition parties to relinquish from each and every ways of arson in no time and urges the government to ensure fair application of law by shunning the excessive coercion strategy and also to take necessary steps for a dialogue with opposition parties with the aim to resolve ongoing crisis.