The party of former ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Awami League, has declared a countrywide lockdown for November 13,  the day the ICT court is expected to confirm the verdict date in Hasina’s case.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, at least a dozen buses have been set on fire across the country over the past two days. On Monday night, miscreants set fire to a bus parked in Fulbaria, Mymensingh, killing the driver, Julhas Mia, 40, who was sleeping inside the vehicle.

On Tuesday night, Julhas Mia’s younger sister, Moyna Akhter, filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Fulbaria Police Station, accusing unidentified individuals.

Police have arrested Anwar Hossain, 36, vice-president of Ward No. 6 of the Fulbaria Municipality unit of the Awami League, in connection with the incident, Fulbaria Police Station OC Md Rujnuzzaman told bdnews24.com.

“We have analyzed the CCTV footage from the scene and arrested Anwar Hossain. Efforts are underway to arrest the other two accused,” he said.

In addition to the arson attacks, several crude bomb explosions have been reported in different areas, including in front of Grameen Bank and near the NCP office.

Pro-AL Accounts Express Enthusiasm Over Arson Attacks

Meanwhile, an analysis by The Dissent has identified several Facebook posts from accounts affiliated with Awami League members expressing enthusiasm over the bus fire incidents and explosions.

A video shared from the Facebook ID “Doulatpur Upazila Awami League” shows a bus burning fiercely.

The caption of the post reads: “Alhamdulillah, a bus caught fire in Badda about 10 minutes ago. From November 10 to 13, the Awami League will control the highways, Inshallah. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.”

A video by Jamuna TV shows a fire breaking out in a passenger bus in the capital’s Sutrapur area.

The video was shared on Facebook by a profile named “দেশপ্রেম নেতৃত্ব ও রাজনীতি”, whose profile picture features Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The caption of the post reads: “Alhamdulillah.”

Another Facebook post by MD Mezanur Rohoman, an Awami League supporter, shared a video with the caption: “After the cocktail explosion in front of the head office of Grameen Bank, the chest of the anti-national enemy has trembled. The children of the Razakar are afraid…”

Another Facebook page named “আওয়ামী লীগ পরিবার” shared a video showing the July Monument in Satkhira being set on fire with petrol. The caption of the post read: “Bangladesh Chhatra League activists desecrated a July memorial in Satkhira.”

At least a dozen other social media accounts reportedly associated with Awami League and Chhatra League activists shared similar videos and captions.

In addition to this, The Dissent has identified several more Facebook posts by Awami League activists expressing enthusiasm over the bus fires and explosions.

Calls for Violence on Social Media

Sheikh Enan, central secretary of the banned Chahra League, posted on his verified Facebook page: “Logi boithay dao Shan, j’ngi jabe Pakistan.”

Sushanta Das Gupta, a prominent Awami League leader in London, shared tips for committing terrorist acts on his verified Facebook profile. The post was later deleted.

A Facebook page named “ঢাকা উত্তর যুবলীগ” posted on November 5, sharing photos of Logi, Baitha, and Stampd. The caption read: “Inshallah, on the 13th — gather together and begin the journey. Join in and stand with us. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu. Prepare Logi for the meeting.”

The Dissent identified dozens of Facebook posts encouraging participation in Logi and Baitha activities as part of the lockdown program.