A violent attack in the village of Madhya Kashimabad, located in Kanaipur Union, Faridpur Sadar Upazila, has resulted in the destruction and looting of seventeen residential homes. Three individuals, who sought refuge in the local mosque during the assault, sustained injuries. Local residents allege that the attack was orchestrated by a Chhatra Dal leader in coordination with several local Awami League figures. Police have reportedly arrested four suspects in connection with the incident.
The violence began on Saturday afternoon, when the Kashimabad Madhyapara Jame Mosque Committee convened to finalise the schedule for Eid prayers and to discuss a proposed increase in the imam’s salary. According to sources, local residents Rafiqul Alam Khan and Harun Khan, dissatisfied with the committee’s decisions, became involved in heated arguments with other community members. Tensions escalated following Eid prayers the next day.
Eyewitnesses describe a mob of over 200 people armed with traditional weapons entering the village without warning. Homes were vandalised, furniture destroyed, and substantial amounts of cash and gold jewellery were stolen. The mosque itself was attacked, leaving its microphone, water tank, windows, and parts of the roof damaged.
Summary of Damage
| Type of Loss | Quantity / Details |
|---|---|
| Residential homes damaged | 17 |
| Injured individuals | 3 (receiving treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital) |
| Number of attackers | Approximately 200 |
| Estimated value of loot | Around 100 million BDT |
| Mosque damage | Microphone, water tank, windows, roof bricks |
Affected families have claimed that the attack was politically motivated, aimed at intimidating opponents. Nazmul Islam, a known supporter of BNP, stated that his home was specifically targeted due to long-standing political tensions.
Akhtar Hossain, the mosque committee’s accountant, said, “The meeting was convened to discuss Eid prayer timings and the imam’s salary. Some local leaders were unhappy with the decisions and mobilised several hundred people to attack.”
Local Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdut Tawwab expressed solidarity with the victims and urged the administration to take swift action.
Faridpur Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Md. Shahidul Islam, confirmed that a written complaint has been lodged and the case is under investigation, with four individuals already in custody.
The incident, which goes beyond mere property damage, reflects deeper political rivalries and rising social tensions in the area. Affected families are calling for immediate governmental intervention and compensation. The attack also raises pressing concerns regarding security, political tolerance, and the restoration of local peace in Faridpur Sadar Upazila.