BNP office set on fire, ward president’s son arrested
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Police have arrested Monir Hossain, son of the president of a BNP ward unit, in connection with a fire at a BNP ward office in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj. He was sent to court on Wednesday afternoon.
Locals said the BNP office in the Chandherchar Leku Market area of Ward No. 2 under Baluchar Union was set on fire on the night of July 17. Furniture and other important items at the office were damaged in the incident. The incident caused a stir in the area.
Five days after the incident, on July 22, Jubo Dal activist Abdus Salam filed a case with Sirajdikhan Police Station against unidentified individuals. Police later began investigating the incident.
On July 22, two people, Nahid Hasan, 23, and Osman Gani, 24, were detained and questioned in connection with the incident. Based on information obtained during their interrogation, the involvement of Monir Hossain, son of Shahidul Islam, president of BNP Ward No. 2, came to light.
Police said that after remaining on the run for a long time, Monir Hossain was detained from his home late Tuesday night based on a tip off. During questioning, he admitted his involvement in the arson, police said.
According to police, Monir said during questioning that the BNP office was set on fire to target an opponent following a dispute over earth excavation. However, police are investigating whether anyone else was involved in the incident.
Abul Hossain, member secretary of Baluchar Union BNP, said, “Such an act may have been carried out at someone’s instigation. However, this is extremely unfortunate. A political office is not a place to settle personal disputes. If there is any personal or business dispute, it should be resolved through legal means.”
Sirajdikhan Police Station OC Md. Alauddin said, “Accused Monir Hossain admitted his involvement in the arson at the BNP office in court. In his statement given to the court, he described the incident in detail.”
