A fire broke out at the business establishment of BNP leader Iqbal Howlader in Ward 1 of Uzirpur Municipality, Barishal, early Sunday morning. The shop was completely destroyed in the blaze, which the owner alleged was a deliberate act of arson linked to a previous land dispute. He demanded that those responsible be identified, arrested, and punished.

Officer-in-Charge of Uzirpur Model Police Station, Md Rafiqul Islam, confirmed that a complaint had been filed and that the incident was under serious investigation. Local BNP leaders, including the municipal unit’s general secretary Md Rokonuzzaman Tulu and legal affairs secretary Md Riaz Mia, visited the site, expressed solidarity with the affected family, and called for a fair investigation. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ali Suza also visited the scene and assured necessary assistance for the victims.

The incident has caused concern among local residents, who urged the administration to take swift action to uncover the true cause of the fire.