Unidentified assailants set fire to the home of a local BNP leader in Narail Sadar Upazila early Tuesday, destroying household goods, stored paddy and other property.
The blaze broke out around 12:30am at the residence of Habkhali Union BNP President Humayun Mollah. Family members alleged the attack was politically motivated, claiming supporters of the “sheaf of paddy” symbol had been threatening them over their backing of an independent candidate using the “pitcher” symbol.
Local residents said they rushed to the scene after noticing flames and managed to bring the fire under control using water.
Neighbour Nabu Mollah said he heard a loud noise at around 12:30am and saw the house engulfed in flames by the time he arrived.
He said around 30 to 35 maunds of paddy stored inside, along with furniture and other belongings, were reduced to ashes.
He alleged the attackers intended to burn Humayun alive, noting that he usually slept on one side of the house.
Humayun’s brother, Md Ramzan Mollah, said the family had been politically aligned with former Narail district
BNP General Secretary Monirul Islam, who is contesting as an independent candidate. He said they had campaigned for the “pitcher” symbol after Monirul was expelled from the party, and claimed that supporters of rival candidate Riazul Islam Tinku, associated with the “sheaf of paddy” symbol, had repeatedly threatened them.
Tinku denied the allegation, saying the fire was deliberately set by unknown persons and calling for a proper police investigation to identify those responsible.
Narail Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Oli Mia said police were examining the incident. He said no case had yet been filed but preliminary indications suggested the fire may have been planned.
The arson followed heightened tensions between rival groups on Monday evening. Supporters of the “pitcher” symbol allegedly attacked and injured sheaf of paddy supporter Ashraful Sheikh in an earlier clash.
Fresh violence broke out around 8:30pm between the two groups, with five supporters of the pitcher symbol reportedly injured.
All injured are receiving treatment at Narail Sadar Hospital. Later that night, one room of Humayun Mollah’s house was set ablaze.
