Unidentified miscreants set fire to the July Memorial Monument, situated directly opposite the Habiganj District Commissioner’s Office and the Sadar Model Police Station, late on Saturday night. The arson attack occurred at around 2:00 am on 7 November in the heart of the district’s primary administrative precinct. News of the vandalism quickly spread across the region, sparking widespread outrage and heightened tension among local students and residents who had actively participated in the July uprising.
In response to the attack on the memorial, local student organisations have called for immediate street demonstrations. Student groups, including Habiganj Chhatra Shakti and the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, announced protest rallies for Sunday night, 8 November, to condemn the arson and demand the swift arrest of those responsible. Representatives from the student bodies emphasised that damaging a structure built to honor the sacrifices of the July movement represents a direct provocation aimed at disrupting public order.
Echoing the widespread anger, Md Russel Mia, Joint Convener of the Habiganj Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, voiced strong dissatisfaction over the breach of security. He demanded that law enforcement agencies act without delay to identify and apprehend every individual involved in the incident, regardless of their background. He stressed that exemplary legal punishment must be ensured to deter future acts of vandalism, warning that students would launch larger protest programmes across the district if authorities fail to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Providing details on the ongoing investigation, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station, Md Jahidul Islam, confirmed that police officers inspected the scene shortly after the fire was reported. While the identities of the perpetrators have not yet been established, investigators are actively examining footage recorded by bystanders during and immediately after the incident. The officer noted that questioning individuals who filmed the blaze is expected to provide crucial leads in identifying and apprehending those behind the arson attack.
