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Petrol bombs were hurled and fires set at several locations in Cox’s Bazar, while the gates of government offices and educational institutions were locked amid a series of overnight incidents.
The incidents took place in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Chakaria and Teknaf from Monday night to early Tuesday, Additional Superintendent of Police Shamim Kabir said.
A moving truck was targeted with a petrol bomb at Ramu bypass. Arson attacks were also reported at the gates of Choufaldi Union Parishad and a Grameen Bank branch in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Kaiarbil in Chakaria and Shapla Chattar in Teknaf.
The incidents triggered panic among pedestrians, tourists and local residents. However, no casualties were reported.
Police have launched operations to identify and arrest those involved, while mobile teams and special patrols have been strengthened to prevent further incidents, Shamim Kabir said.
Meanwhile, unidentified individuals locked the main gate of the Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office and hung a banner bearing the name of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
A video circulating on social media shows two masked individuals, one wearing a helmet, putting a lock on the gate and hanging a banner reading ‘Chakaria Municipality Chhatra League’.
The gates of four to five educational institutions in Chakaria were also locked during the night, with banners placed at some of them.
UNO Shaheen Delwar said the incidents occurred around 2:00am. The locks were later removed with the assistance of police, Ansar members and local residents.
The affected institutions include Chakaria City College, Chakaria Central High School and Chakaria Shikkha Niketan.
The UNO said law enforcement agencies had been informed and legal action would be taken once those involved were identified.
Earlier on Sunday night, petrol bombs were reportedly hurled at at least eight locations in Cox’s Bazar. However, no cases had been filed with any police station over the incidents so far, Shamim Kabir said.
