Fence of freedom fighters’ gravesite set on fire in Rajbari

Miscreants
set a part of the boundary fence of a gravesite, demarcated for freedom
fighters, at the Tarapur graveyard in Rajbari's Pangsha upazila on fire early
today.
Shahidul Islam, muazzin of
Tarapur Jame Mosque and caretaker of the graveyard, said he noticed the fire
while going to the mosque for Fajr prayers. "After I made announcements
using the mosque's loudspeaker, locals and students from the nearby madrasa
doused the flames," he said.
"This
was clearly an act of arson. There is no electricity connection here, nor is it
close to a road where an accidental fire could occur. It was a deliberate
act," he added.
Bahadurpur Union Parishad
Chairman and president of the graveyard management committee, Md Sajib Hossain,
said the Tarapur graveyard was established in 1946 on more than three acres of
land. Following a request from freedom fighters, around four decimals of the
land were designated for their graves in 2022.
"So far, five freedom
fighters have been buried in the reserved section. Setting fire to this place
is a disgraceful act," he said. About 100 ft of fencing around the
reserved section was burnt.
Md Shamsher Ali, joint
convener of the Bahadurpur Union Freedom Fighters' Council, said, "This is
the work of anti-Liberation War elements. We demand a proper investigation and
exemplary punishment for those responsible."
Inspector (Investigation)
Abdul Gani of Pangsha Model Police Station said that they have visited the
site.
"Primary assessment
suggests that the boundary fence of the designated burial area was set on fire
deliberately. The graveyard management committee president lodged a general
diary in the afternoon," he said.
Pangsha Upazila Nirbahi
Officer Md Rifatul Haque told The Daily Star that he visited the site
immediately after being informed.
"It appears that some
type of fuel, likely petrol, was used to ignite the fire. The burnt fencing
will be repaired promptly, and those involved will be identified and brought to
justice," he added.
















