Family members of Kapasia Upazila women’s wing general secretary Sharmin Sultana alleged that arsonists set fire to her residence in Bhakoaydi village, Chandpur union, Gazipur. They made the allegation at a press conference at the home on Thursday afternoon. A written complaint has been filed with Kapasia police, which has begun an investigation.

Sharmin Sultana said the alleged attack followed a recent land dispute and an earlier cocktail attack on her house. She alleged that intruders broke the gate lock during Tuesday night or early Wednesday, when no one was home, entered the property, removed valuables and set the dwelling on fire after pouring petrol.

The family said furniture and nearly all belongings in four rooms of the tin-shed house were destroyed. They estimated losses at about Tk 5 million, including 14 bhori of gold jewellery and Tk 500,000 in cash. Sharmin was in Gazipur to collect her father from the airport after his return from Umrah. Fire service personnel and police controlled the blaze, though most belongings had already burned. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Nasir Ahmed said police inspected the site and would bring those involved under the law.