Two dead after attackers torch house of Syed Ashraf’s cousin in Kishoreganj

Two dead bodies have been sent to a hospital morgue after an Awami League leader’s house was vandalised and set on fire in Kishoreganj on the first day of the non-cooperation movement led by student-led protesters demanding the government step down.

The dead body of another youth was taken to Syed Nazrul Medical College Hospital after the incident.

Besides the loss of life, scores of people were injured in clashes across the city. According to the doctors, several of them are in critical condition, according to bdnews24.com.

Early on Sunday morning, thousands of protesters gathered at Kishoreganj’s Puran Thana area under the banner of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

Later, around 12pm, when the demonstrators reached the Kishoreganj Awami League Office premises, clashes broke out between them and the ruling party workers.

At one point, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and its affiliated organisations left the scene after getting dispersed.

The attackers then vandalised and set the district Awami League office on fire. A few motorcycles kept in front of the office premises were also torched.

Later, a faction of the demonstrators set fire to the residence of District Awami League Assistant General Secretary Syed Ashfaqul Islam Titu in the Kharampatti area.

Ashfaq is the cousin of the late Awami League general secretary, Syed Ashraful Islam. After failing to get Awami League’s nomination during the last parliamentary elections, Titu contested as an independent candidate. He withdrew from the race in support of Syed Ashraf’s brother, Major General Shafayatul Islam, an independent candidate.

On Sunday, flames engulfed Titu’s house before Fire Service personnel could arrive at the scene.

Local reporter Rakibul Hasan Rokel told bdnews24.com: “I saw two burnt bodies, including one woman, being carried out of this house.”

Kishoreganj Sadar Hospital Director Ekramullah said: “The charred bodies of two people were brought to the hospital. One of them is a woman.”

Later, another body was sent to Syed Nazrul Medical College Hospital.

District Civil Surgeous Sailful Islam confirmed the death of three people who died in the fire around 3pm.

Saiful told bdnews24.com: “Someone brought them to the hospital. All three of them were brought dead to the hospital. Their identities have not been confirmed yet.”

In addition, several others injured in the clashes are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals.