Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament on Thursday that investigators had found no evidence of petrol bombs being used to set fire to the village home of MP Nusrat Tabassum in Daulatpur, Kushtia.
“An initial investigation has found that an electrical short circuit may have caused the incident,” he said, responding to Opposition Chief Whip Md Nahid Islam's allegation that the Awami League might be behind the fire.
Salahuddin said investigators found no signs of petrol bomb explosions on the walls, and no witnesses had provided information suggesting their use. An initial assessment by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) indicated a possible electrical fault due to old and weak wiring.
The unoccupied tin-shed, semi-concrete house was around 20 meters from a 3-storey building where Tabassum's parents live. Two goats died in the fire, while shoemaking materials, clothes and other belongings were also inside.
The minister said police officials had visited the scene and that he had directed further investigation. He ordered a joint probe involving the BGB, Fire Service and Civil Defense, civil administration and police to determine whether the fire was accidental or the result of sabotage.
Photographs, audio and video recordings, and other evidence collected from the scene have been preserved. A general diary (GD) was filed under GD No 703 on Thursday.
Salahuddin said a definitive conclusion could only be reached after the investigation. “If further investigation reveals that anyone was involved in sabotage, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
Earlier, Nahid expressed concern over the security of lawmakers and leaders of the July Uprising and anti-fascist movement following the reported arson attack.
He alleged that miscreants had hurled 4 petrol bombs at the house around midnight on Wednesday, setting it on fire and killing cattle kept there.
Questioning the local police station's officer-in-charge for saying no evidence of petrol bombs had been found before a forensic team visited the scene, Nahid said: “Without any forensic investigation, how can the OC conclude that no petrol bombs were used?”
He alleged that the Awami League was targeting lawmakers and activists associated with the July Uprising, with the BNP as its second target.
Referring to an attack on Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Hasib Al Islam in Moulvibazar 2 days earlier, he questioned why no arrests had been made within 48 hours.
Nahid also cited reported petrol bomb and crude bomb explosions, including at Dhaka University, and questioned the government's response to the security situation.
He said the incidents had created fear among lawmakers, July Uprising leaders and anti-fascist movement activists over their personal safety and that of their families. He also sought clarification on what he described as the government's compromising attitude towards the Awami League and efforts to bring those responsible to justice.