A family in Sunamganj has alleged that their home was attacked and vandalised by a group led by a local political figure after they refused to vacate land they have occupied for decades. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday afternoon in Islampur village under Raniganj Union of Jagannathpur upazila, targeting the residence of the late freedom fighter Abdullah Khan.
According to members of the family, the attack has left them feeling deeply insecure, as they fear further intimidation or attempts to force them off the land.
The allegations centre on Nizam Uddin, organisational secretary of the Raniganj Union unit of Jubo Dal, the youth wing associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Family members claim he was present during the incident and led the group that carried out the attack. However, Nizam Uddin has strongly denied the accusations. Speaking to our representative, he said he had no knowledge of the incident and was not present at the scene.
Abdul Gaffar, the son of the late Abdullah Khan, recounted that his family began living on a piece of government land in Islampur village shortly after Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. Later, the government reportedly granted his father a 99-year settlement on the land, allowing the family to reside there legally.
According to Gaffar, tensions began to escalate following political changes in the country in August 2024, when the Awami League government fell from power. He alleged that shortly afterwards, Nizam Uddin and several associates began making attempts to seize control of the land.
Gaffar further claimed that the group demanded a payment of 500,000 taka from the family in exchange for allowing them to remain on the property. When the family refused to pay, he said they received repeated threats.
“The pressure had been building for a long time,” Gaffar said. “I even submitted a written complaint to the local police station. After that, they demanded five lakh taka. When we refused, they attacked our house, demolished parts of it and looted our furniture. We have video footage of the attack, and Nizam Uddin was leading the group.”
Witnesses in the locality reported hearing loud disturbances during the afternoon, after which sections of the house were found damaged. Household belongings were reportedly broken or missing.
Police from Jagannathpur Police Station visited the site after receiving reports of the vandalism. Sub-Inspector Hadi Abdullah confirmed that officers had inspected the property and observed signs of destruction.
“We visited the scene after receiving information about the incident,” the officer said. “The house belonging to the son of the freedom fighter has been partially demolished. We are currently investigating the matter.”
Local residents say the dispute has heightened tensions in the area, particularly because it involves the family of a freedom fighter—an identity that carries significant respect in Bangladesh due to the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War.
Community leaders have called for a thorough and impartial investigation, urging authorities to ensure both the safety of the family and the protection of their legal rights to the property.
Key Details of the Incident
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Islampur Village, Raniganj Union, Jagannathpur Upazila, Sunamganj |
| Date and Time | Sunday afternoon |
| Victim Family | Family of late freedom fighter Abdullah Khan |
| Main Allegation | Attack, vandalism, and looting |
| Alleged Demand | 500,000 taka extortion |
| Accused | Nizam Uddin, Raniganj Union Jubo Dal organisational secretary |
| Police Status | Investigation ongoing |
Authorities have not yet announced whether formal charges will be filed, but police officials indicated that statements from both sides are being collected as part of the inquiry. Meanwhile, the affected family says it is seeking protection and justice following the alleged attack.