Multiple voting booths set on fire in Netrokona ahead of polls

Several voting booths in Netrokona’s Sadar and Purbadhala Upazilas were set on fire in the early hours of Monday (9 February) ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum, local sources reported.

The incidents occurred at Parla Government Primary School, Nurpur Shridharpur Government Primary School, and Bamon Moha Government Primary School in Sadar Upazila, and at Narandia Government Primary School in Purbadhala Upazila.

The fires broke out between approximately 2:00am and 2:30am, according to local sources and school teachers.

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The blazes damaged benches, fans, and lights inside the booths, but local residents quickly brought the fire under control.

On information, members of the law enforcement agencies, including the Detective Branch (DB), visited the spots and launched an investigation.

Preliminary findings suggest that the fires were set through rear windows of the booths installed at each voting centre.

Superintendent of Netrokona Police Md Tariqul Islam said, “We have visited the scenes and launched an investigation to identify those responsible. Legal proceedings are underway in connection with the incidents.”