Father Killed in Alleged Property Dispute

A 70-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by his two sons in a dispute over family property in Teknaf, a coastal subdistrict of Cox’s Bazar in southern Bangladesh. The incident reportedly took place around midnight on Monday in Nayapara village under Sabrang Union, sparking concern and outrage among local residents.

The deceased, identified as Kala Mia, was a resident of the same village. Police say his sons, Shaker Alam and Monir Alam, have been accused of assaulting him following a prolonged dispute regarding the distribution of family land and assets. Preparations are currently under way to file a formal case against the two men.

Long-standing family dispute

According to local sources, Kala Mia had been living with his wife at the home of their daughter, Elm Bahar, for some time. Tensions within the family had reportedly been growing for years due to disagreements over the division of property. Several informal arbitration meetings had been organised by community leaders in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but the conflict remained unresolved.

Abul Faiz, a member of the Sabrang Union Parishad, said that the dispute had intensified in recent days. He stated that the victim’s sons had allegedly been pressuring their father to transfer or divide the property in their favour.

“For at least two days before the incident, the sons had been putting pressure on Kala Mia regarding the property,” Abul Faiz said. “Later that night we heard that he had been found unconscious. When he was taken to hospital, doctors declared him dead.”

Daughter’s allegations

The victim’s eldest daughter, Elm Bahar, has made serious allegations against her brothers. She claimed that on Sunday her brother Monir Alam had taken their father away from the house and kept him in an unknown location.

According to her account, the family searched for Kala Mia throughout the day but could not locate him. Later, around 12:30 a.m., he was found lying unconscious. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Elm Bahar alleges that her two brothers assaulted their father out of greed for the family’s property.

Medical findings and police action

Dr Mamunur Rashid, a physician at Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that Kala Mia had died before arriving at the hospital. He also noted visible injury marks on the victim’s body, suggesting the possibility of physical assault. However, he emphasised that the precise cause of death will only be confirmed after a post-mortem examination.

Police have already taken the body into custody and sent it to the Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam of Teknaf Model Police Station said authorities had received allegations that the father was killed by his sons following a land dispute.

“We have recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem examination,” the officer said. “A case is being prepared, and further legal action will be taken after investigation.”

Key details of the incident

Wider context

Land and property disputes are a frequent source of conflict in rural Bangladesh, sometimes leading to violence within families. Experts note that unclear inheritance arrangements and the absence of formal property documentation often intensify such disputes.

Local authorities have urged families to seek legal and mediated solutions to property conflicts before they escalate. Meanwhile, residents of Nayapara village remain shaken by the incident, describing it as a tragic example of how family disputes can turn deadly.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and further details will emerge once the autopsy report and witness statements are reviewed.