Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed that Thursday's huge fire at the Secretariat was deliberately set to destroy important files related to corruption during the previous fascist government, involving the embezzlement of thousands of crores of taka.

Rizvi made these remarks on Saturday morning in Mithapukur, Rangpur after visiting the grave of firefighter Sohanur Zaman Noyon, who was killed during the extinguishing of the fire at Secretariat.

Rizvi said that several files and office furniture from four or five ministries were destroyed in the fire. He described the incident as part of a deep conspiracy.

Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat sparks concerns of sabotage

Rizvi said, “Sajib Wazed Joy and the case of $ 350 million smuggling in their name is being investigated by the USA's intelligence agencies. This is just one incident. There are many more such incidents where important files of the ministry were burnt in the nine-storey building to suppress them.”

He said, “A principal secretary of the Hasina government has smuggled a lot of money. The files that were burned contained his files. Many important documents were burnt in this fire. Friends of the defeated dictatorship are still in many places. They are in various places of government including bureaucracy, police.”

Rizvi also paid tribute to Noyon, calling him a martyr in the ongoing fight to protect the country's independence and sovereignty.

"Just like Abu Saeed gave his life in the Second Liberation War, Noyon, a son of Rangpur, sacrificed his life for the same cause. We cannot simply offer condolences and consider our duty done", he added.

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Earlier, Rizvi visited Noyon's home in the village of Charan Atpunia, Barabala Union, Mithapukur.

BNP’s organizational secretary for Rangpur Division, Professor Asadul Habib Dulu, and local BNP leaders and activists were also present during this visit.