Another arson case filed against Zia in Bangladesh

Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia has been charged by police with masterminding an arson attack during the ongoing political turmoil in the country, the second such accusation against her within two days.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Zia and 31 others were sued last night for an arson attack on a covered van in Chauddagram of Comilla.
Chauddagram police filed the case accusing 69-year-old former prime minister of masterminding the attack, Uttam Chakrabarty, officer-in-charge of Chauddagram Police Station, told the Daily Star.
According to the police, the accused torched a goods-laden covered van near Haidarpool area in Chauddagram upazila yesterday morning during the 36-hour strike enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Earlier on Saturday, Jatrabari police had filed a case against 68 leaders of the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami for the arson attack on a bus on Friday night, which left 29 people injured. Zia was accused of instigating the arson attack.
Prime Minister Hasina last week had hinted that her arch-rival Zia could be tried for instigating deadly violence saying, "It will be logical to bring her (Zia) under the purview of law as the accused of giving order of the killings."

"But it is up to agencies enforcing the law to check this out and take necessary action," she had told the Parliament as her ruling Awami League lawmakers demanded legal action against Zia.

At least 37 people have been killed in violence during anti-government protests that took place following BNP's call for a nationwide non-stop blockade from January 6 after authorities barred its chief Zia from joining a protest rally to mark the first anniversary of the last year's divisive January 5 polls.
Political divisions have sharply increased as manifested in the controversy that emerged last week when Hasina, who had gone to offer condolences on the sudden death of Zia's youngest son, was turned away from the gates of her arch-rival, in an apparent snub.