Unidentified arsonists set fire to four polling centres in Netrakona’s Sadar and Purbadhala upazilas in the early hours of Tuesday, triggering concern ahead of the upcoming election.
However, no major damage was reported as the fires were brought under control by local residents and law enforcement agencies.
According to police, the first incident occurred around 1:30am at Parla Government Primary School in Netrakona Sadar. The arsonists allegedly poured petrol or kerosene into a room of the school, which is designated as a polling centre in the 13th national parliamentary election, and set it on fire. Locals noticed the blaze and managed to extinguish it before it spread.
Subsequently, similar incidents were reported at Light Government Primary School, Bamonmoha Government Primary School and Nurpur Sreedharpur Government Primary School in Sadar upazila. In a separate incident, a polling centre at Hogla (Hironpur) Government Primary School in Purbadhala upazila was also targeted.
Police said the arson attacks took place between around 2:00am and early morning. A few benches and minor materials were damaged in some centres, but there was no significant loss of property.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Sajal Kumar Sarkar said the incidents appeared to be aimed at creating panic among voters. “We are analysing CCTV footage and conducting investigations to identify those involved and bring them under the law,” he said.
Netrakona Superintendent of Police Md Tarikul Islam said law enforcement agencies were immediately deployed at the affected centres. “Security has been strengthened, and voters will be able to cast their votes freely on election day,” he said, adding that necessary precautionary measures have been taken.
Deputy Commissioner Saifur Rahman and SP Tarikul Islam visited Parla Government Primary School on Tuesday afternoon to inspect the damage. Police said investigations into all four incidents are ongoing.