78 individuals, including BNP leaders, face legal action over arson following the death of a Jubo Dal leader

Arson and looting broke out in the Ulipur police station area of Kurigram following the death of Jubo Dal leader Ashraful Alam, amid a clash between two factions of the BNP.

A case has been filed against 78 individuals, including Ulipur BNP President Haider Ali Miah and General Secretary Obaidur Rahman Bulbul, along with 40-50 unidentified people, in connection with the incident. Nazma Begum, the wife of Abu Zafar Sohail Rana, joint convener of the district Krishak Dal, filed the case at Ulipur police station on Tuesday night. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zillur Rahman confirmed the case's registration.

The accused are charged with extortion, arson, property damage, looting, and intimidation.

The case statement claims that on the night of December 27, the accused allegedly conspired to attack Sohail Rana’s home due to political conflicts. 

“They ransacked and looted the house, set it on fire by pouring petrol, stole gold ornaments, and took two cows,” the statement noted.

Firefighters responded to the incident and successfully brought the blaze under control.

The violence followed the sudden death of Ashraful Alam, joint convener of the Municipal Jubo Dal.

On the evening of December 27, BNP members and affiliates had gathered at Ulipur police station square to settle a personal dispute between two teenagers. A verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation, and Ashraful, who was trying to mediate, collapsed. He was rushed to Ulipur Health Complex, where he was declared dead.

In the wake of Ashraful’s death, angry supporters allegedly set fire to the homes of Sohail Rana and former district Chhatra Dal joint convener Feroz Kabir Kajol.

Vandalism and looting were also reported at "Mishta," a restaurant owned by upazila BNP Deputy Secretary General Aminul Islam.

Ashraful’s father, Ayanal Haque, also filed a separate case at Ulipur police station, accusing 25 named individuals, including Sohail Rana and Kajol, as well as 20-25 unidentified individuals, of his son’s murder.

Sultan Ahmed, one of the accused, has been arrested in Dhaka, while others remain at large.

When contacted, Ulipur BNP President Haider Ali Miah could not be reached for comment on the allegations.

OC Zillur Rahman stated: “The cases are under investigation, and efforts are underway to apprehend the accused.”