Probe launched after arson at Kushtia July Memorial despite police deployment

Police and the district administration have launched separate probes into potential negligence of on-duty policemen and other circumstances after social media videos confirmed an arson attack at a July Uprising Memorial in Kushita.

A youth, believed to have ties with the now-banned Awami League autocratic party, set the fire likely around midnight on Tuesday. However, the incident gained public attention after the video of the incident went viral on social media in the afternoon.

The July Memorial is located in front of Shaheed Abrar Fahad Stadium beside the Kushtia-Jhenaidah Highway.

In the two-minute video circulating on social media, a man is seen, sometime at night, pouring a liquid substance from a bottle onto the memorial. A few seconds later, he throws a lit matchstick-like object at the structure before fleeing the scene.

The video contains various political slogans, including slogans in support of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, as well as “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu”. The same voice is also heard making remarks about the July mass uprising.

The video was reportedly first circulated from a Facebook account named “Kushtia Insiders”. Some leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League, Awami League’s student wing, also reportedly shared the video.

After the video went viral, Additional Superintendent of Police of Kushtia Pranab Kumar Sarker, Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kabir Hossain Matubbar and other police officials visited the site.

OC Kabir Hossain said black marks were found on the memorial, but no other evidence related to the fire was found at the scene.

“An ASI, along with two constables, is assigned to guard the memorial. Police personnel were also deployed there at the time of the incident. We are investigating whether there was any negligence on the part of the personnel on duty,” he said.

The district administration has also taken steps to investigate the incident.

Additional District Magistrate (General) of Kushtia Zakir Hossain said a probe committee had been formed on the instructions of the district administration.

“Police security was in place at the memorial. The committee will investigate how the incident occurred despite the security arrangement and take necessary measures based on its findings,” he said.

Police and the administration said they were examining the viral video and evidence collected from the scene to identify those involved. Further legal action will be taken following the investigation.