Documents destroyed as masked man sets fire to Lakshmipur election office

A masked man allegedly poured petrol into a ground-floor storeroom and set it alight around dawn

A suspected arson attack has damaged part of a district election office in Bangladesh’s Lakshmipur, while destroying several documents and equipment inside.

A masked man allegedly poured petrol into a ground-floor storeroom of the Lakshmipur District Election Office and set it alight around 4am on Saturday, according to election officials and police.

CCTV footage shows the suspect climbing over a wall to enter the premises and leaving shortly after flames appeared inside the building.

Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Election Officer Md Faruk Hossain said the attacker broke or opened a window before starting the fire. A night guard was asleep inside the office at the time but raised the alarm after noticing the incident, prompting the suspect to flee.

Several voter registration documents from 2008 and 2009 were destroyed, along with an unused desktop computer and other equipment. Officials said the fire was quickly brought under control, preventing more extensive damage.

District Election Officer Md Abdur Rashid said the early detection of the fire helped limit losses. He added that senior police officers had visited the site and assured authorities that security around election offices would be tightened.

Police said an investigation was under way and efforts were being made to identify and arrest those responsible. Deputy Commissioner SM Mehdi Hasan said instructions had been issued to strengthen security at election offices across the district.