Miscreants set fire to July memorial, 2 police closed

Miscreants set fire to a memorial built in Pirojpur in honour of the martyrs of the July-August movement. The incident occurred late at night on Friday, November 14 near the district central Shaheed Minar.

On Saturday, November 15, locals noticed burn marks and blackened areas at the base of the memorial. A video of the arson went viral on social media. Two police officers have been closed for negligence of duty.

Former Pirojpur municipality councillor and freedom fighter Abdus Salam Baten told the media that such an insulting act against the martyrs was carried out intentionally. He said that after fascist Sheikh Hasina fled the country, banned Chhatra League and Jubo League activists have been carrying out acts of sabotage on memorials in Pirojpur and other places.

Meanwhile, police have already inspected the site as part of the investigation.

Pirojpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Robiul Islam said it appeared that banned Chhatra League and Jubo League activists wrapped a scarf or cloth around the memorial and set it on fire. Police have been deployed in the area, and the matter is being taken very seriously.

Pirojpur Superintendent of Police Khan Mohammad Abu Naser told the media that police were on duty throughout the night. At 3 am, the OC conducted supervision before leaving. It is suspected that the miscreants set the fire sometime before or after the Fajr prayer. Two police personnel have been closed to the police lines for negligence, and legal action is being taken against them.

The SP also said that a case will be filed at the station, and the perpetrators will be arrested soon and brought under the law.