General Secretary of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation Sarjis Alam, who played a central role in the July-August movement that toppled the previous government, has said that Thursday's Secretariat fire was a planned, premeditated conspiracy.
“The nature and location of the fire indicate it was neither accidental nor natural. It was a deliberate act of sabotage," he said while speaking at an event in Panchagarh.
He called for a thorough investigation into the incident and urged the interim government to take a more revolutionary stance.
He claimed the fire targeted the student representatives in the interim government, including Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, whose offices were reportedly destroyed.
"These students have been at the forefront of the uprising, safeguarding files related to corruption and irregularities committed during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina. The timing of the fire raises serious questions," he added.
Secretariat Fire: 2 committees to assess damages to Labour Ministry documents, assets
He said that the interim government must ensure such incidents are not repeated and those responsible face accountability.
He also warned of future conspiracies, urging unity to prevent a return of oppressive forces.
"If this uprising had not succeeded, many of us would have been jailed. We must remain vigilant and hold the spirit of this revolution," he said.