Police probe arson attack on ‘36 July Uprising’ memorial arch in Tungipara

Police have launched an investigation after unidentified individuals allegedly set fire to a memorial arch erected to mark the second anniversary of the July Uprising, partially damaging the structure in Tungipara early Sunday (August 2).

The incident occurred shortly after midnight in front of the Tungipara Shishu Park, where the arch had been installed to honour those killed and injured during the July uprising.

According to local sources, the memorial arch, titled “36 July Gono Obhyutthan” (36 July Uprising), was built by the Tungipara municipal units of Jatiotabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal. Construction was completed on Saturday afternoon.

Witnesses said unidentified attackers set the structure ablaze around 12:00am before fleeing the scene. The fire partially destroyed sections displaying the names, photographs and organisational designations of former municipal Swechchhasebak Dal convener Golam Sagar and municipal Chhatra Dal convener Yen Munshi. No casualties were reported.

Yen Munshi said he and other organisers had travelled to nearby Kotalipara to attend a programme with Gopalganj-3 lawmaker S M Jilani after the arch was completed. They rushed back after receiving news of the fire.

He alleged that the attack was not merely an act of vandalism but an attempt to dishonour the memory of those who were killed and injured during the July uprising. He called for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice.

Police visited the site soon after the incident.

Ayub Ali, officer-in-charge (OC) of Tungipara Police Station, said, “Investigators were working to determine who was responsible and the motive behind the attack.”

He added that no formal complaint had been filed with the police station as of Sunday afternoon, but legal action would be taken once a complaint is received and the investigation progresses.