Raipur municipal crematorium in Lakshmipur was subjected to an attack, vandalism, and arson on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite the cremation committee's awareness of the incident, they allegedly kept it under wraps throughout the day, discussing the matter among themselves.
The incident came to light later in the evening when a video of the attack went viral.
As of 9pm, no case had been filed at the Raipur police station regarding the incident. However, preparations for filing a case against unknown individuals were underway, according to Uttam Kumar Saha, president of the cremation committee.
Authorities, including Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner Suraiya Jahan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Datta, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarek Bin Rashid, Raipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nazma Binte Amin, municipal Mayor Ghiyas Uddin Rubel Bhat, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Yasin Farooq Majumder, and municipal Awami League President Kazi Jamshed Kabir Baki Billah, visited the site at 8:30pm.
Harendra Chandra Kuri, the caretaker of the crematorium, reported that he discovered the burnt office and damaged property when he arrived at the crematorium around 12:30pm. Unidentified miscreants had also vandalized furniture and cut down trees.
Master Uttam Kumar Roy, the general secretary of the cremation committee, mentioned that they reported the incident to the administration later in the evening, as the committee was engaged in a meeting at the time.
Superintendent of Police of Laksmipur Mohammad Tarek Bin Rashid assured that a thorough investigation was underway and that accurate information would be revealed soon.
Laksmipur Deputy Commissioner Suraiya Jahan said: “The incident was not related to communal issues. It was an isolated event and there is no chance of keeping the matter hidden.”
