‘Cleaner arsonist’ behind primary education department fire: police

Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the fire at the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE), alleging the blaze was a "deliberate act" intended to damage laptops and other goods stored for field-level distribution.

The primary suspect, a cleaner identified as Asmaul Islam, reportedly wore a burqa to disguise himself while setting the fire.

Investigations suggest he was promised Tk 500,000 for the act, with Tk 80,000 paid in advance.

Speaking at a briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Saturday night, Mostaque Sarker, deputy commissioner of the Mirpur Division, confirmed the arrests.

The two other arrestees are Zinat Ali Biswas, the store-in-charge, and Humayun Kabir Khan, a master-roll storekeeper.

A fourth suspect, identified only as Hridoy, remains at large.

"We have learned that the fire was set to damage the stored equipment, resulting in a loss of around Tk 20–30 million," said Mostaque.

The fire broke out early Friday in the second-floor storeroom of the directorate. The room housed 735 laptops destined for educational programmes across the country.

According to police data, 140 laptops were completely destroyed, while 29 were significantly damaged.

Another 33 laptops were partially damaged, and 450 remained intact. However, 83 laptops are currently missing from the inventory.

Despite the missing units, police noted that CCTV footage did not show any items being removed from the premises during the incident.

Police are investigating whether external parties were involved in the planning.

"We are verifying the information provided during preliminary interrogation. Since this is a government building and the laptops were meant for national distribution, the timing and motive are critical," Mostaque said.

Police intend to seek a remand for the suspects to conduct more intensive questioning.

They have already recovered several items purchased by Asmaul with the initial payment of the arson contract money.