Since the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, allegations of sustained attacks on minorities have surfaced across Bangladesh, with no indication of the violence abating. From the burning alive of Dipu Chandra Das to repeated incidents of vandalism and arson, concerns continue to mount. Amid this backdrop, fresh allegations emerged last Saturday that miscreants set fire to the house of Basudev Saha in Dumritala village of Pirojpur district, causing an estimated loss of around 2 million BDT. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
What happened in Pirojpur?
According to police sources, Basudev Saha is a practising lawyer at the Pirojpur court. The complaint states that at around 3 AM on Saturday, miscreants set fire to a room at the rear of his house. The flames quickly spread, engulfing the entire structure. Members of the Saha family fled in panic as neighbours rushed in after hearing screams and shouts, attempting to douse the fire.
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By then, the blaze had spread to the adjoining houses of Sukantha Saha and Dipankar Saha, filling the area with thick black smoke. Within a few hours, all three neighbouring houses were reduced to ashes. Pirojpur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Islam visited the site later in the afternoon and said, "Police have been deployed at the scene, and an investigation is underway."
Sustained attacks on minorities
The identity of those responsible for the arson remains unknown. While a section of diplomatic analysts has described the incident as a targeted and planned attack on minorities, others in Bangladesh have suggested it may have stemmed from long-standing personal enmity.
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A similar incident was reported last week in Raujan, Chittagong, where two houses belonging to the minority Sheel family were allegedly set on fire. It was further claimed that the doors were bolted from the outside to trap the occupants, who managed to escape by cutting through a fence. Both houses were completely gutted.
