GD filed over fire incident at graveyard reserved for freedom fighters

A general diary has been filed at the police station following an incident of arson at a section of the Tarapur graveyard in Pangsha upazila of Rajbari, which is reserved for freedom fighters.

On Sunday night, the GD was filed by Md Sabuj Hossain, chairman of Bahadurpur Union Parishad and head of the graveyard management committee.

The incident was strongly condemned at the monthly meeting of the upazila law and order committee held at 10.30am on Monday at the upazila parishad auditorium. Freedom fighters and other speakers demanded that the perpetrators be identified and brought under the law without delay.

The meeting was chaired by Pangsha Upazila Executive Officer Md Rifatul Haque. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Saad Ahmed and Officer-in-Charge of Pangsha Police Station Sheikh Moinul Islam were also present. Both the OC and the UNO gave assurances of a swift investigation and necessary actions.

Nazrul Islam Jahangir, member secretary of the upazila freedom fighters’ council, said, “Who could commit such a heinous act in the month of victory? Such an incident is impossible without an anti-liberation mindset.”

UP Chairman Sabuj Hossain said, “Setting fire to a graveyard reserved for freedom fighters is an extremely despicable crime. We have filed a general diary, and we hope the culprits will be identified quickly.”

According to locals, worshippers arriving for Fajr prayers early on Sunday spotted the fire at the graveyard. When mosque muezzin Shahidul Islam announced the news over loudspeaker, worshippers, madrasa students and locals together brought the fire under control. Bamboo and plastic fencing was burnt. Locals said they detected a smell of petrol and kerosene at the site.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, the UNO, police, freedom fighters and the local chairman visited the spot.

OC Sheikh Moinul Islam said, “On joining duty at night, I learned about this deplorable incident. I am investigating the matter personally. We will soon uncover the truth and arrest those responsible.”

UNO Rifatul Haque said, “The incident is being investigated on a priority basis. At the same time, instructions have been given to strengthen security around the graveyard.”