Bangladesh Violence: The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh turned tragic in the early hours of Saturday when a seven-year-old girl lost her life and three others suffered severe burn injuries after the residence of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader was allegedly locked from outside and set on fire in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.
Police officials confirmed that the incident occurred at the home of Belal Hossain, a local businessman and assistant organising secretary of the BNP’s Bhabaniganj Union unit. The attack reportedly took place around 1 am, when the family was asleep.
Lakshmipur Sadar Model Thana Officer-in-Charge Md Wahid Parvez said that Belal’s daughter, Ayesha Akter, aged seven, died after being trapped in the blaze. Belal himself and his two other daughters—Salma Akter (16) and Samia Akter (14)—sustained critical burn injuries in the fire.
Belal is currently undergoing treatment at Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, while his injured daughters, who suffered 50–60 per cent burns, have been shifted to Dhaka for advanced medical care.
According to family members, the attackers allegedly poured petrol around the house after locking both entrances, leaving those inside with no immediate escape. Belal’s mother, Hazira Begum, told local media that she was asleep when she woke up to see flames engulfing her son’s tin-shed home.
She said she tried desperately to enter the burning house but found both doors locked from the outside. “I screamed for help and tried to get in, but I couldn’t open the doors,” she recalled. Eventually, Belal managed to break open an entrance and escape.
Belal’s wife, Nazma, was able to flee the house carrying their four-month-old infant, Abir Hossain, along with their six-year-old son, Habib. However, the family could not save Ayesha, who succumbed to her injuries.
Hazira Begum alleged that unidentified miscreants were behind the attack but said she could not identify the perpetrators.
The incident comes amid renewed political tension and street protests across Bangladesh following the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure associated with the country’s 2024 uprising. Hadi was shot and later died in Singapore, triggering widespread demonstrations.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus issued a statement on Friday urging citizens to resist violence, intimidation, arson, and property destruction. The government warned that such acts—attributed to a small group of extremist elements—could destabilise the country during a critical period.
On the same day, another disturbing incident was reported when a Hindu युवक, Dipu Chandra Das, was allegedly lynched by a mob over accusations of blasphemy, after which his body was set on fire, further heightening concerns over law and order in the country.
Authorities have launched investigations into the Lakshmipur arson attack as tensions continue to rise.