A horrific arson attack in the early hours of Saturday claimed the life of a seven-year-old girl and left three of her family members, including her father who is a local BNP leader, critically injured. The incident occurred in West Char Mansa village under Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.
The Tragic Incident: Locked Doors and Petrol-Fueled Flames
According to police and family accounts, the house of Belal Hossain, a businessman and assistant organising secretary of Bhabaniganj Union BNP, was deliberately targeted. Miscreants allegedly locked both doors of the tin-shed house from the outside and set it ablaze by pouring petrol.
Hazera Begum, Belal's mother, described the terrifying sequence. She woke up around 1:00 am to see the house engulfed in flames. "I ran out screaming but found both doors locked from the outside. I couldn't enter," she said. Her son, Belal, managed to break a door to escape. His wife, Nazma, also got out with their four-month-old infant, Abir Hossain, and six-year-old son, Habib.
The tragedy struck the children sleeping in another room. Belal's daughter, Ayesha Akter, 7, was burnt to death inside the house. Her two sisters, Salma Akter, 16, and Samia Akter, 14, were rescued with severe burns. Belal himself suffered serious burn injuries.
Critical Condition and Medical Response
The injured were rushed for medical help around 2:00 am. Dr Arup Pal, residential medical officer, confirmed the severity of their condition. "Belal Hossain has been admitted here, but the two girls were referred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, as their condition is critical. About 50-60% of their bodies have been burnt," he stated.
While Belal is receiving treatment at a local hospital, his teenage daughters were transferred to the capital for advanced, life-saving care due to the extent of their injuries.
Political Condemnation and Call for Justice
The brutal attack has sparked immediate condemnation from political quarters. Hasibur Rahman, joint convener of Lakshmipur District BNP, strongly condemned the incident. He demanded a proper and swift investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The incident adds to growing concerns about a deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh. It occurs amid reports of a rising wave of violence across the country under the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Officer-in-Charge of Lakshmipur Sadar Model Thana, Md Wahid Parvez, confirmed the details of the case, which is now under active police investigation.
