In Laxmipur, an eight-year-old girl tragically lost her life after a fire was deliberately set at the residence of a local BNP leader, while three others sustained severe burns. The case was officially lodged four days after the incident.
On Tuesday night (23 December), BNP leader Belal Hossain, who himself suffered burns in the attack, filed a complaint with Sadar Model Police Station, naming unidentified individuals as the perpetrators. Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Wahed Farvez, confirmed the filing of the case and stated that an investigation is currently underway.
The horrifying incident occurred in the early hours of Friday (19 December) at Belal Hossain’s home in Bhabaniganj Union, Sadar Upazila. Belal, who serves as the co-organising secretary of the BNP in the union, witnessed the deliberate attack on his household. His daughter, Ayesha Akter Binti, aged eight, succumbed to her injuries caused by the flames.
Three other family members were seriously injured in the fire:
| Name | Age | Condition | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Hossain | — | Burn injuries | Under treatment |
| Salma Akter Smriti | 17 | 90% body burns | ICU, Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit, Dhaka Medical College, critical condition |
| Samia Akter Bithi | 14 | 2% body burns | Treated and returned home |
Among the injured, Smriti’s condition is particularly critical, with doctors reporting that she is battling for her life in the Intensive Care Unit of Dhaka Medical College’s Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit. Meanwhile, Bithi, who sustained minor burns covering two percent of her body, has been discharged following treatment and is now with her family.
This tragic episode has sparked concern across the local community, highlighting the dangers faced by political figures and their families in the region. Authorities have vowed to pursue the investigation diligently and bring those responsible to justice.
Belal Hossain’s legal action marks a crucial step towards accountability, although the delay in filing the case has raised questions among local observers about timely reporting and the challenges victims face in seeking justice.