Political Correspondent
DHAKA, November 12, 2026: The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for nationwide protests after a fire severely damaged the family home of its political council member and parliamentarian Nusrat Tabassum in Kushtia, prompting allegations of a politically motivated attack.

The party announced the protest programme on Thursday, instructing its local branches to organise rallies and processions across Bangladesh in condemnation of the incident.

The fire broke out late Wednesday night at Tabassum's ancestral residence in Bagowan village under Daulatpur upazila, damaging five rooms of the tin-roofed property. Several family members, including her parents, were reportedly injured.

Although the NCP has raised suspicions of political involvement, police have yet to determine the cause of the blaze or identify those responsible.

Party Leadership Orders Nationwide Mobilisation

The NCP announced its decision through an emergency press release signed by Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain.

The statement directed party committees at district, metropolitan, police station and upazila levels to arrange demonstrations in their respective jurisdictions as soon as possible.

Leaders and supporters were encouraged to join the protests and demand action against those responsible for the fire.

The party's response followed allegations that the residence of one of its senior political figures had been deliberately targeted.

Tabassum, who played a prominent role in coordinating the July mass uprising, currently serves as a member of parliament and holds a position on the NCP's political council.

Nusrat Alleges Repeated Attempts to Set House Ablaze

According to Tabassum, the incident occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday when unidentified individuals allegedly used petrol bombs to ignite her family's residence.

She said five rooms were destroyed in the fire, while her parents and several other relatives suffered injuries.

After learning of the incident, Tabassum travelled from Dhaka to her family home in Kushtia.

She later examined footage recorded by surveillance cameras installed at the property.

Based on her review of the footage, the lawmaker claimed that a person approached the residence from the rear and attempted to start a fire on four separate occasions.

The account has not yet been independently verified by investigators.

In a subsequent Facebook statement, Tabassum acknowledged that she did not know who had carried out the alleged attack.

Political Allegations Emerge as Investigation Continues

The NCP has suggested that individuals associated with the Awami League, whose political activities have been prohibited, could have been responsible for the incident.

Party Media Secretary Yasir Arafat expressed suspicion that people connected to the Awami League might have been involved.

However, no publicly reported investigative findings have established such a connection.

Police have also refrained from confirming whether the fire was deliberately started or linked to political rivalry.

The allegations have nevertheless intensified political debate over security and accountability amid reports of recent violent incidents in different parts of the country.

Police Yet to Establish Cause of Blaze

Daulatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khaledur Rahman said the fire originated in a structure used as a cowshed.

He confirmed that investigators had not established the precise cause of the incident.

According to the police official, family members and local residents suspected that an inflammable substance, possibly petrol, had been used to start the fire.

Some also believed that a previous dispute might have contributed to the incident.

However, these possibilities remain unconfirmed.

No arrests had been reported in connection with the fire as of Thursday afternoon.

The absence of confirmed findings has left several questions unanswered, including how the fire began, whether it was intentionally set and who might have been involved.

Tasnim Jara Demands Arrest of Those Responsible

The incident has prompted expressions of solidarity with Tabassum from political figures.

Dr Tasnim Jara condemned the reported attack in a Facebook post on Thursday and demanded the swift arrest of those responsible.

She also expressed personal support for Tabassum, assuring her that she was not facing the situation alone.

The statement came as concerns grew over the safety of political representatives and their families following reports of arson and explosions elsewhere in the country.

Jamaat Chief Condemns Fire, Questions Government's Response

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman also denounced the incident.

He described the reported attack as an act of cowardice and called for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice.

Jamaat-e-Islami additionally criticised the BNP-led government over its handling of recent security incidents.

The party accused the administration of failing to take sufficient measures to prevent explosions, arson and other acts of violence.

Its criticism added another political dimension to the controversy surrounding the Kushtia fire.

Incident Raises Fresh Concerns Over Political Violence

The reported fire comes amid growing public concern about incidents involving explosive devices and attacks on property.

The damage to Tabassum's family home has drawn particular attention because of her position as a parliamentarian and her involvement in the July uprising.

The NCP's decision to stage demonstrations nationwide reflects the party's demand for accountability and stronger measures to protect political figures and their families.

However, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain subject to investigation.

While Tabassum has described what she believes was a deliberate attempt to set the residence on fire, police have not confirmed the use of petrol bombs or identified any suspects.

The NCP's allegations against individuals associated with the Awami League also remain unsubstantiated by publicly available investigative evidence.

With demonstrations announced across the country, attention is expected to focus on both the police investigation and the government's response to the latest security concerns.

The findings of the investigation will be central to determining whether the fire resulted from deliberate criminal activity and, if so, establishing who was responsible.