Bangladesh experienced a surge of politically motivated violence on Sunday as the country prepared for the verdict in the first case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regarding allegations of crimes against humanity. Widespread attacks saw seven vehicles set alight across Sylhet, Mymensingh, Kushtia, and Savar, including buses, a truck, a covered van, and an ambulance, highlighting the severity of unrest beyond the capital.
The capital city of Dhaka witnessed multiple Molotov cocktail attacks in the evening. Explosives were hurled at Central Road outside the home of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, while subsequent blasts were reported in Banglamotor, Shyampur, Gabtoli, and Mahakhali’s Amtola district. One individual was injured, underscoring the potential human cost of these politically charged attacks.
Further incidents occurred across Dhaka and surrounding areas, including New Eskaton Road, Karwan Bazar, and Tongi. Outside the capital, Molotov and petrol bomb attacks damaged property, such as the Grameen Bank branch in Gazipur, though casualties remained limited. In Madaripur, supporters of banned political groups blocked a major highway by felling trees, temporarily disrupting traffic until authorities restored normalcy.
In the last week alone, 36 vehicles have been set on fire nationwide, resulting in one fatality in Mymensingh. The attacks reflect an ongoing pattern of politically motivated intimidation intended to generate fear and disrupt public life.
Authorities have responded by deploying the Border Guard Bangladesh and reinforcing police operations in key districts. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police reported that preventive measures are in place and that Sunday’s incidents posed no imminent threat to the public. In total, 18 individuals were arrested on Sunday in connection with violent demonstrations, while 197 people associated with banned political organisations have been detained over the past eight days.
Political leaders from opposition parties have called for public protests to prevent lawlessness, highlighting the high stakes of the forthcoming verdict. Security officials reiterated that law enforcement is fully prepared to maintain order and prevent further escalation. The incidents underscore the delicate balance between political expression and public safety in Bangladesh, particularly in periods of heightened tension.