Trucker, helper burnt in Magura arson attack

A trucker and his helper were burnt as alleged blockaders hurled a petrol bomb at a truck in Shalikha upazila of Magura early today.

The arson attack took place at Arpara Bazar of the upazila around 4:30am on the 23rd day of the BNP-led 20-party alliance’s nonstop blockade, reports our Jhenidah correspondent.  

The injured are truck driver Milon Hossain, 35, and helper Emarul Hossain, 18, both from Benapole of Jessore, said Biplob Kumar Nath, officer-in-charge of Shalikha Police Station.

In panic during the attack, the truck driver lost control over the steering and drove into a roadside ditch leading to the injury of five labourers onboard the vehicle, he said.

The five injured labourers were taken to Magura Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Truck driver Milon’s condition was stated critical since he sustained injuries from the burn as well as those he suffered when his vehicle fell into the ditch, said Sudarshan Roy, assistant superintendent of police in Jhenidah.

Milon was shifted to Jessore Medical College and Hospital from Magura Sadar Hospital.

OC Biplob told The Daily Star that police are trying to arrest the alleged blockaders who torched the truck hurling petrol bomb.

So far, at least 33 people have died in the political violence that started from this year marking the anniversary of January 5 election.

At least 46 arson victims, who are mostly attacked by petrol bomb, are now under treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Of them, six are in a critical condition.