A shocking incident of arson has occurred at “July Memorial” established on the premises of Abrar Fahad Stadium in Kushtia. It is alleged that activists of banned Chhatra League set fire to the memorial at around 4:30am on Tuesday defying the police on guard.
Immediately after the incident, a video spread on social media and went viral within moments. In the video, miscreants are seen setting fire to the memorial associated with the July Uprising while chanting provocative slogans.
They were heard chanting controversial and politically provocative slogans such as “Sheikh Hasina will return, Bangladesh will smile,” “No place for Razakars in my golden Bengal,” “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,” and “No fear for Hanif Saheb, we haven’t left the streets,” referencing local former influential MP Mahbubul Alam Hanif.
The incident has sparked intense anger and allegations of extreme administrative inaction across Kushtia, as the reported miscreants managed to carry out the arson openly and escape safely despite police guarding just a few yards away.
Local residents questioned how such sabotage could take place in a secured place like the stadium under round-the-clock police guard, and they strongly condemned failure of the administration.
Rasel Hasan, a local resident, said,”We came to know about it in the morning. It is assumed that the arson took place around 4:30am. We informed the police first, but they did not give it any importance initially. However, I strongly condemn such a heinous incident.”
Directly labelling the role of administration as a failure, Member Secretary of Kushtia BNP Zakir Hossain Sarkar said, “The terrorist group of banned organisation is carrying out these acts by taking advantage of the administration’s inaction.”
“Even though the police were informed about several alarming matters previously, they took no visible steps. Those involved in this heinous incident must be identified and brought under the law immediately,” he added.
Member Secretary of Kushtia NPP Convenor Committee Sultan Maruf Talha said, “Identified terrorists and activists of banned Chhatra League are carrying out this sabotage in a planned manner, while the administration is playing the role of a silent spectator. We demand immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of these arsonists.”
Following arson incident at July memorial, a tense situation is prevailing across the district, and conscious citizens have demanded immediate improvement of the law and order situation.
When contacted, Kushtia Superintendent of Police (SP) Jashim Uddin said, “Our police were on guard there. We came to know of the incident earlier. Our officers are at the scene. The matter will be investigated with importance, and necessary legal action will be taken.”
