Flag Raised, Then Fire at Habiganj Awami League Office

In Habiganj, a group of leaders and activists from the Awami League raised the national and party flags outside the district office, which has been officially inactive, on Wednesday afternoon. The event, held at the Town Hall Road area of the city, was followed shortly afterwards by an incident in which a group of youths set fire to the office’s main gate. At the time of the fire, no senior party officials were present.

Eyewitnesses reported that at around 11:30 am, several district and municipal Awami League leaders gathered unexpectedly in front of the office. They hoisted the national and party flags while chanting slogans in support of the party. The group departed approximately ten minutes later without incident.

A local Awami League leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Despite all conspiracies and obstacles, the Awami League will continue to stand with the people, as it has in the past, and will do so in the future.”

Fire Incident

At approximately 2:00 pm, a separate group of young people arrived at the district office. They set fire to the main gate, although the blaze caused only minor damage. The fire, igniting materials left as rubble for nearly eighteen months, sparked fear among nearby residents.

Speaking anonymously to Prothom Alo, a district Awami League leader said, “We heard reports of who may have set the fire only after the group had left. The fire extinguished itself shortly afterwards.”

Historical Context

The Habiganj district Awami League office has previously been a site of unrest. During protests in August 2024, agitated students and members of the public set fire to the office on multiple occasions, causing significant alarm.

For a clearer view of the timeline of events on Wednesday, the following table summarises key developments:

Residents and local observers have expressed concern that repeated incidents around the district Awami League office could further escalate tensions in the area. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on Wednesday’s fire, but the incident underscores the lingering volatility surrounding political offices in the region.

Political analysts suggest that without proper security and management of abandoned or damaged properties, such events may recur, potentially endangering public safety and exacerbating local unrest.