Arson Destroys Sawmill in Manda, Police Investigate

A sawmill in Manda Upazila of Naogaon District was gutted by fire in a suspected act of arson during the early hours of Wednesday (4 March). The incident occurred at around 4:00 am near the Deluwabari Bus Stand along the Naogaon–Rajshahi Highway. Following the attack, a written complaint has been lodged with Manda Police against three individuals allegedly involved.

The affected businessman, Wazed Ali, told reporters that he established the sawmill on his own land approximately 18 years ago and has been running the enterprise ever since. On the night of the incident, the sawmill was under the supervision of a night watchman, Atab Ali. While stepping outside for the pre-dawn Sahri meal, Atab Ali noticed flames engulfing the premises. With the assistance of local residents, the fire was eventually brought under control, but not before substantial losses occurred. According to Wazed Ali, the blaze destroyed the sawmill’s shallow machine, furniture, and approximately four lakh taka worth of stored timber.

Wazed Ali alleges that the arson was motivated by a longstanding land dispute. He claims that he has had ongoing conflicts with Afsar Ali and Aktar Hossain of Deluwabari, as well as Gulbar Rahman of Chokkkanu village. The businessman added that these individuals had repeatedly issued threats against him, suggesting that the fire may be a retaliatory act stemming from previous disagreements.

Incident Details

Attempts to contact Afsar Ali for comment via mobile phone were unsuccessful.

Manda Police Station Officer-in-Charge, K M Masud Rana, confirmed the complaint, stating: “A written report has been received. The incident is under investigation, and appropriate legal action will be taken once the inquiry is complete.”

Local residents expressed concern over the rising incidents of land disputes leading to violent acts in the area. Many have urged authorities to strengthen security measures and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The arson has left the sawmill owner and employees facing both financial and operational challenges. While the fire caused immediate material damage, the long-term implications for the business, including loss of production and potential delays in supply, remain uncertain.