BANGLADESH’s rail minister accused the country’s main opposition party of “arson” and “sabotage” after a fire broke out early today on a passenger train in the capital, killing four people.

“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 set for January 7 and “create chaos.”

Ms Zia’s party, which is boycotting the election, issued a statement denying the accusation.

The party has been intermittently enforcing transport blockades and general strikes demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who seeks to return to power for a fourth consecutive term.

On Tuesday, Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, said that they recovered four bodies after three coaches of the Mohanganj Express train caught fire. 

The train left the northern district of Netrokona late on Monday for the Kamlapur Railway Station in Dhaka, the capital, packed with passengers.

Ms Zia’s party called for a day-long general strike on Tuesday across the south Asian nation as part of their anti-government movement as the country gears up for elections.