What was intended as a sacred community celebration ended in violence in Raozan upazila, Chittagong, after guests attending a family-hosted Eid-e-Miladunnabi gathering allegedly demanded two lakh taka in extortion money and launched a brutal attack on the host’s family. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday afternoon in the Panchpukuria area of Janipathor, left four women injured, including one with a broken arm and another who suffered sexual harassment.
The host, Mofizur Rahman, had organised a traditional religious mahfil and community feast at his ancestral home to mark Eid-e-Miladunnabi, providing food for several hundred local attendees. Among those present were local residents Md Rubel, 27; Nuru Salam, 35; Md Iqbal, 40; Chappiye, 25; Md Farooq, 30; alongside a group of 20 to 22 unidentified individuals. According to the written complaint lodged with Raozan Police Station, the proceedings remained peaceful until around 3:00 pm. However, after finishing their meals, Rubel and his associates abruptly confronted Mofizur inside the premises and demanded an immediate cash payment of two lakh taka.
When Mofizur refused to pay, Rubel launched into a violent tirade and attempted to physically assault him. Local residents intervened, forcing the group to retreat temporarily.
The harassment quickly escalated. At approximately 3:30 pm, Rubel telephoned Mofizur to repeat the extortion demand, threatening severe consequences if the cash was not handed over. Minutes later, the accused gathered a larger mob and established a blockade on the road outside Mofizur’s home. As Mofizur’s family members boarded a CNG-run auto-rickshaw to return to their primary residence in the Oxygen area under Bayezid Police Station, the armed gang intercepted the vehicle and demanded the money once more.
The confrontation turned violent as the gang attacked the occupants. The formal complaint details how Rubel attempted to sexually molest Mofizur’s 19-year-old cousin, Mahi Akter, before striking her repeatedly with a thick wooden branch, causing severe bleeding. When Mofizur’s 20-year-old sister, Moriam Begum, stepped in to protect her, the assailants beat her with a wooden batten, fracturing the bone in her left elbow. Two other relatives—Mofizur’s 25-year-old wife Sadia Akter and his 26-year-old cousin Moni Akter—were also beaten as they tried to shield the victims.
Before abandoning the scene, the attackers forcibly stripped the women of their gold jewellery, stealing earrings and finger rings weighing over one bhori (approximately 11.66 grams). Local villagers rushed to the site after hearing the screams, rescuing the injured women and transporting them to the Raozan Upazila Health Complex for emergency medical treatment.
Denying the allegations, the key suspect, Md Rubel, claimed he had no involvement in the assault or the extortion attempt. While acknowledging that he attended the afternoon feast at Mofizur’s house, Rubel insisted he went home to sleep immediately afterwards and knew nothing of the violence, describing the extortion claims as entirely false.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Raozan Police Station, Saiful Islam, confirmed that officers have received the formal complaint naming five primary suspects and 20 to 22 unidentified accomplices. He stated that police have launched a full investigation into the ambush and robbery, promising swift legal action against all perpetrators once inquiries are complete.
