In a disturbing act of late-night arson, unidentified assailants targeted a branch of the Nobel Prize-winning Grameen Bank in the Garidaha area of Sherpur Upazila, Bogura. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 16 November (following the night of Saturday, 15 November), has sparked concerns regarding the security of financial institutions in the region.
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A Narrow Escape from Devastation
The attempt to raze the building commenced at approximately 2:00 am. According to reports, the perpetrators doused the exterior of the bank with petrol before igniting it. The swift escalation of the flames was fortunately checked by the vigilance of the on-duty night guard. Upon noticing the blaze, the sentry raised an immediate alarm, summoning local residents who rushed to the scene to assist in subduing the fire.
Whilst the intent behind the attack appeared to be the total destruction of the facility, the physical consequences were remarkably limited. Md Robiul Islam, the branch manager, confirmed that the structural integrity of the building remained intact and the interior sustained no damage. The primary casualty of the fire was the bank’s official nameplate at the main entrance, which was partially charred before the flames were extinguished.
Official Response and Investigation
The Sherpur Fire Service was dispatched to the location, though the fire had been largely contained by the time they arrived. Bakhtiar Uddin, a fire service official, noted that preliminary evidence strongly suggests a deliberate act of sabotage involving flammable accelerants. “Upon arrival, it was evident that petrol had been used to initiate the blaze from the exterior,” he remarked, adding that a formal investigation into the origin of the fire is currently underway.
Law enforcement has also taken a firm stance. SM Moinuddin, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sherpur Police Station, visited the site to oversee the initial evidence collection. He noted that while there were no direct witnesses to the act itself—given the cover of darkness—the authorities are working tirelessly to identify the “shadowy figures” responsible. The process of filing a formal criminal case is currently in progress.
Incident Summary: Arson Attempt at Sherpur Branch
| Feature | Details |
| Institution | Grameen Bank (Garidaha Branch) |
| Location | Sherpur Upazila, Bogura, Bangladesh |
| Date & Time | Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, 15 Nov (approx. 2:00 am) |
| Method | Arson via petrol accelerant |
| Damage Sustained | Nameplate partially damaged; no structural loss |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Current Status | Police investigation and legal proceedings ongoing |
The Significance of the Target
Grameen Bank holds a prestigious position within the Bangladeshi socio-economic landscape, famed for its pioneering microcredit schemes that empower rural populations. An attack on such an institution is often viewed as an assault on the community’s economic lifeline. Consequently, the local administration is under significant pressure to ensure that those responsible for this act of “mindless vandalism” are brought to justice swiftly.
Manager Robiul Islam reaffirmed that the bank’s operations would continue as normal, though security measures are expected to be heightened across all regional branches in the wake of the incident.