Photo : Collected

DHAKA, April 13, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali today said they are hopeful of providing the nation with good news over the arrest of those involved in setting fire to the motifs at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University prior to the start of Pahela Baishakh celebrations. 

"Investigation into the matter is now at its final stage. I hope to inform you of the arrests very soon," he told the newsmen after visiting the security preparations for the peaceful celebrations of the Bangla New Year at Ramna Batamul in the city.

Earlier, on Saturday morning, the 'Face of Fascism' and 'Peace Dove' motifs made for the Barshaboron Ananda Shovajatra procession at the Faculty of Fine Arts were set on fire. 

Referring to the filing of a case with Shahbagh Police Station in this connection, the DMP commissioner said, "We have come very close in terms of detection of the miscreants. We hope to reach a satisfactory level of identification before the procession starts at 9am tomorrow (Monday). If possible, by this time, we will be able to arrest the miscreants, InshaAllah." 

After visiting the scene, DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam said on Saturday, "At first glance, it appears to be intentional rather than accidental. We are sure of that." 

In an immediate reaction, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said that 'Hasina's cohorts' have burnt the 'face of fascism' at the Fine Arts.

After analyzing the CCTV video footage, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts Md. Israfil Ratan said a young man climbed the boundary wall, entered, set fire to the motifs, and left in the same way in just one and a half minutes. 

He was wearing a black T-shirt and had a mask on his face, he said.