Police launch investigation after viral video shows arson attack on July Memorial in Kushtia

KUSHTIA — Authorities in Kushtia have launched an investigation after a video surfaced on social media showing an unidentified individual setting fire to the July Memorial monument. The incident, which has sparked local concern, occurred at the site located in front of the Shahid Abrar Fahad Stadium along the Kushtia-Jhenaidah highway.

The 62-second video, which began circulating on Facebook around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday via the account “Kushtia Insiders,” depicts a person pouring a liquid onto the memorial before igniting it with a match and fleeing the scene. Throughout the footage, a male voice is heard chanting slogans in support of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, while condemning the recent political transition. The voice further claims that supporters intend to facilitate Hasina’s return to the country this December.

Following the viral spread of the footage, senior law enforcement officials, including Kushtia Additional Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar Sarkar and Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kabir Hossain Matubbar, inspected the site on Tuesday afternoon.

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OC Kabir Hossain confirmed that investigators observed scorch marks on the monument, though no other physical evidence remained at the scene. The memorial is situated in an area subject to nightly police patrols, with an Assistant Sub-Inspector and two constables stationed there between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. Officials are currently investigating whether there was any lapse in security by the officers on duty.

The district administration has also intervened, with Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Zakir Hossain announcing the formation of an official probe committee. Authorities have stated that they are treating the incident with gravity and will take necessary legal action once the investigation into the security breach and the identity of the perpetrator is complete.