Bangladesh Opposition party accused of arson

A security officer inspects the damaged passenger train. Pic/AP

Bangladesh's railway minister accused the country's main opposition party of "arson" and "sabotage" after a fire broke out early Tuesday on a passenger train in the capital killing four people, including a mother and child.

"Now, they have targeted a safe means of transport like a train," said Nurul Islam Sujon, accusing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, of resorting to violence and sabotage in the name of anti-government protests to thwart the national election slated for January 7 and "create chaos".

Zia's party - which is boycotting the election - issued a statement denying the accusation. The party has been intermittently enforcing transportation blockades and general strikes demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who seeks to return to power for a fourth consecutive term.

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