Rajshahi, Aug 06 (V7N) – In Rajshahi, widespread looting and arson occurred across multiple sites including the City Hall, Police Headquarters, mayor's residence, police outposts, newspaper offices, shopping malls, shops, and various other establishments. These incidents unfolded from the afternoon of August 5, Monday, continuing through the night.
 
The Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League office, personal office of party presidium member HM Khairuzzaman Liton, and other party facilities were vandalized and set on fire. Additionally, the businesses of minorities and agricultural produce from Santal communities were looted.
 
Following rumors of the Prime Minister leaving the country, thousands of people took to the streets of Rajshahi. Both men and women, including children, were seen celebrating with flags. In the Saheb Bazar Zero Point area of Rajshahi, crowds gathered, and someone was heard speaking over a microphone about corruption under the Awami League government. Victory songs were played in some areas.
 
Around 5:30 PM, a fire was set at the Rajshahi City Hall, destroying up to the fifth floor. Extensive looting occurred at the City Hall, including the theft of laptops, chairs, tables, air conditioners, and computers. The City Hall houses branches of two banks, which were also set ablaze and looted. The ATM booth at the Urban Clinic building on the City Hall's west side was vandalized and looted. Additionally, fires were set and looting occurred at the offices of 15 City Corporation councilors and several councilors' homes. The Rajshahi District Council building and the Sonali Bank located there also experienced vandalism and looting.
 
The Metropolitan Police Headquarters at C and B Square was also targeted. Fires were set to several vehicles parked downstairs, and looting ensued inside the building. Air conditioners and ceiling fans were removed from the police headquarters. The Malopara police outpost also had fires set, and several police vehicles were destroyed. The Lakshmipur police box was set on fire.
 
In the suburban area of Rajshahi, the residence of City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton was vandalized, looted, and set on fire. All belongings in the house were taken. Similarly, the personal office of Mayor Liton in Rani Bazar was burned, with vehicles parked outside also destroyed. This building housed several businesses, which were extensively looted.
 
During a celebratory procession, people vandalized and set fire to the Government Tower owned by the General Secretary of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League, Dablus Sarkar, located in Kumarpara. The tower houses banks and other institutions. The Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League office was also vandalized and set ablaze. Subsequently, a bulldozer was used to demolish the building and the mural of Bangabandhu at Rajshahi College. The Workers' Party office at Saheb Bazar Zero Point was also destroyed.
 
Additional attacks were carried out on the residence of Awami League Organizing Secretary Azizul Alam Bentu, his business establishments, including Lobong Fast Food and Chinese (Sagarpara), Lobong Convention (Mollahpara), and his personal chambers (Kot Station Road), all of which were vandalized, set on fire, and looted.
 
In Kumarpara, the personal office of Rajshahi District Council Chairman, and Liberation War hero Mir Iqbal, was also vandalized and set ablaze. Several motorcycles parked in front of this building were also burned.
 
Offices of the Liberation War Society at Sagarpara and Gorhanga Railgate were vandalized. One person was seen dragging away a generator. Additionally, government-registered online newspapers such as Padma Times 24.com, Banglar Janapod, Silk City News, Daily Sunshine, Daily Sonar Desh, and the Rajshahi Press Club were all vandalized, set on fire, and looted. The grille of Padma Times office windows was removed.
 
Former MP Fazle Hossain Badsha, current MP Shafiqul Rahman Badsha, and District Council Chairman Mir Iqbal’s homes were also vandalized and looted. The residence of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Wadud in Bidaldah, Puthia Upazila, and the homes of Rajshahi-4 MP Abul Kalam Azad and Rajshahi-3 MP Asaduzzaman Asad were also set on fire.
 
Attempts to contact Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson Jamirul Islam and other officials for comment were unsuccessful.
 
In response, BNP Chairperson’s advisor and former mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu stated, “I do not support this kind of politics. I have instructed everyone to refrain from such actions and am trying to control the situation.”
 
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