A brutal attack and significant vandalism have been reported at the office of an NGO called ‘Uddipan’ in Bogura, which occurred as a result of an ongoing loan payment dispute. Two employees were injured during the assault, which involved blunt instruments and sharp weapons. In addition, approximately 150,000 taka was stolen from the office during the raid.
The incident took place on the night of Saturday, 28th February, at the NGO’s office located near the Fultola Paat Beejagar in Ward 13 of Bogura municipality.
The injured employees have been identified as Program Officer Hasinur Rahman (34) and First Credit Officer Shimul Ali (27). Rajia Sultana, a fellow First Credit Officer at Uddipan, revealed that two to three assailants entered the office unexpectedly, attacking the staff with a hammer and a knife. The attackers also caused extensive damage to office equipment, including computers, chairs, and tables, before fleeing with the estimated 150,000 taka in cash.
Rajia further clarified that the violence stemmed from a loan dispute. In November of the previous year, Mahmudah Rahman, the wife of Noor Islam Nahid from the Khandar area, borrowed 200,000 taka from the NGO. Despite repeated reminders, she had failed to make any repayments. On the afternoon of the attack, an NGO employee was reportedly assaulted while attempting to address the overdue loan. That evening, the office was targeted in what appeared to be a premeditated attack.
Attempts to reach Noor Islam and his wife for comment were unsuccessful, as both their mobile phones were turned off.
Incident Summary
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | 28th February 2024 |
| Location | Uddipan NGO office, Fultola Paat Beejagar, Bogura |
| Injured Parties | Hasinur Rahman (34), Shimul Ali (27) |
| Weapons Used | Hammer, knife |
| Damages | Computers, chairs, tables |
| Amount Stolen | Approx. 150,000 Taka |
| Cause of Attack | Loan payment dispute |
| Accused Parties | Noor Islam Nahid, Mahmudah Rahman |
| Legal Action | Investigation underway, no arrests yet |
In response to the attack, Touhidul Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahjahanpur Police Station, confirmed that a case has been filed and an investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage, though authorities assured that appropriate legal action will follow once the investigation is completed.
This incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of NGO employees, particularly those working in loan recovery and financial transactions. It also highlights the rising tensions surrounding unpaid loans in rural areas, where some individuals are resorting to violent means to resolve financial disputes. Local authorities are closely monitoring the case, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.