Explosion at Barishal Court premises aimed at spreading panic: police

Although no casualties were reported in the explosion at the Barishal court premises, it triggered widespread panic among litigants, lawyers, and court staff. Police initially suspect that the incident was carried out with the intent to create fear.

The blast occurred around 10:15am near the main gate of the Judicial Building on Wednesday (August 12). Following the incident, law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area, and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) subsequently collected various pieces of evidence from the scene.

Barishal Metropolitan Police (BMP) Commissioner Abu Raihan Md. Saleh stated that an object was thrown from outside before the explosion occurred. He noted that the CCTV footage did not clearly capture who threw the object.

Based on information gathered from the scene and statements from eyewitnesses, the object is initially believed to be a cocktail-like device, he said, adding that the primary assumption is it was done to spread panic.

CID Crime Scene In-Charge Khalilur Rahman, who collected evidence at the scene, said that glass fragments, plastic, and gunpowder residues were recovered from the blast site.

He stated that these samples are being sent to Dhaka to confirm the nature of the explosion, and a definitive conclusion will be reached after receiving the test report. However, no evidence of massive destruction was found at the scene.

BMP Deputy Commissioner Sushanta Sarkar mentioned that discussions are underway with the District and Sessions Judges regarding court security. The CID is investigating the incident, and further details will be available once their report is received.

According to court sources, judicial proceedings continued normally despite the incident. However, visible panic was observed among litigants on the court premises, and a large contingent of police personnel cordoned off the area for security reasons.

Barishal Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Nazim Uddin Ahmed Panna opined that undemocratic forces may be behind this act of sabotage.

Lawyer Advocate A.K.M. Mir Zahidul Kabir claimed that cronies of fascists carried out the explosion with subversive intent. However, no confirmed information regarding these allegations can be established until the investigation concludes.

Meanwhile, discussions are also circulating over whether any faction is trying to destabilize the situation ahead of Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman's scheduled visit to Barishal on August 16. However, police have not yet released any information indicating a link between the explosion and the upcoming ministerial visit.

Previously, on August 3, three members of the same family were seriously injured in an IED explosion in Dudhal Mou village of Barishal's Bakerganj upazila. Coming closely on the heels of that incident, the explosion at the court premises has sparked renewed concern over the law and order situation in Barishal.