Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 22nd February 2026, 4:16 AM
PABNA – In a dramatic turn of events, the Pabna District office of the Awami League witnessed the raising of the national flag on Friday, only to be set ablaze less than 24 hours later.
After lying dormant for over 18 months, the party office came alive briefly when a group of local leaders and activists gathered to hoist the national flag. Eyewitnesses reported that slogans such as “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and “Sheikh Hasina will return, Bangladesh will prosper” echoed through the Abdul Hamid Road area, where the office is located. A video of the event rapidly circulated on social media, highlighting the moment.
Leading the ceremony were Advocate Toufiq Imam Khan, the District Awami League’s Information and Research Secretary, alongside local leaders Mahbub Alam Khan of the Upazila Awami League and Raman, a municipal Awami League figure. Two to three other activists also participated in chanting slogans.
| Date | Event | Participants | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 August 2024 | Awami League government fell; party leaders went into hiding | Party activists | Office vandalised and set on fire by angry students and public |
| Friday, 21 February 2026 | National flag hoisted at district office | Toufiq Imam Khan, Mahbub Alam Khan, Raman, 2–3 others | Slogans chanted; video circulated on social media |
| Saturday, 22 February 2026 | Fire incident at office | Unidentified youths | Office set ablaze with tyres; smoke and burnt smell observed |
The office, abandoned since 5 August 2024, remained in a state of disrepair after several attacks during public unrest following the fall of the previous government. On Saturday afternoon, local witnesses observed a group of youths entering the office carrying tyres. Finding little else to ignite, they set fire to the tyres inside two ground-floor rooms, creating dense smoke and a pungent burnt odour.
By approximately 4:30 pm, the two-storey building resembled a skeletal shell, surrounded by heaps of garbage, giving the impression of a deserted, haunted house. Curious onlookers observed from a distance, while no one attempted to extinguish the fire.
When contacted, OC Md. Dulal Hossain of Pabna Sadar Police Station stated, “We are monitoring the situation closely. Any activity that disrupts law and order will be addressed promptly.”
The repeated incidents underscore ongoing tensions in Pabna, reflecting both political volatility and the risks posed by abandoned party infrastructure in urban centres. With the video of Friday’s flag-hoisting already spreading widely online, authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety of public property and prevent further unrest.
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