Grandfather Shot During Village Arbitration, Grandson Accused

A village arbitration meeting convened to resolve a long-running family dispute in Lakshmipur descended into violence after a 70-year-old man was allegedly shot by his own grandson during a heated confrontation.

The incident took place on Saturday evening, 4 July, at the Hamid Ullah Patwari residence in Rashidpur village under Bashikpur Union of Chandraganj in Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila. The victim, Nazrul Islam, was initially admitted to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital before being referred to Noakhali for specialised treatment due to the seriousness of his injuries.

According to local residents, the dispute had been simmering for a considerable period between Nazrul Islam and members of his extended family, particularly Ismail Hossain Faruk and his wife, Ayesha Begum. In an effort to settle the disagreement amicably, local community members arranged a traditional arbitration meeting earlier in the day. Family members from both sides, along with several respected local figures, attended the gathering.

Witnesses said tensions escalated during the meeting when Nazrul Islam and Ayesha Begum became involved in a heated verbal exchange. As the situation grew increasingly confrontational, local sources claimed that Ayesha Begum contacted her son, Ashik, by mobile phone while he was in Dhaka and informed him about the dispute.

Later that evening, Ashik reportedly returned to the village and expressed anger over the incident. It is alleged that during a further altercation he produced a firearm and opened fire. The bullet struck Nazrul Islam above his left wrist, causing him to collapse at the scene. Those present rushed to his aid and transported him to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, where doctors provided initial treatment before referring him to a higher medical facility in Noakhali. Local sources said the accused fled the area immediately after the shooting.

Ismail Hossain Faruk acknowledged that his son, Ashik, had shot his uncle. He also alleged that he himself had been subjected to threats following the incident. Faruk appealed for immediate intervention by the authorities and called for appropriate legal action against those responsible.

Speaking from hospital, the injured Nazrul Islam said he had attended the arbitration meeting at Faruk’s request. He alleged that the disagreement with Ayesha Begum intensified during the meeting and that Ashik later arrived and shot him. He expressed hope that the authorities would conduct an impartial investigation and ensure justice.

Dr Shamim Mohammad Afzal, a medical officer at Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, confirmed that the elderly victim had been admitted with a gunshot wound. He said doctors recommended an X-ray examination to determine whether any bullet fragments remained inside the body. Considering the patient’s condition and the need for specialised care, he was referred to a medical facility in Noakhali.

Additional Superintendent of Police Hosain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi said officers were dispatched to the scene immediately after receiving information about the shooting. He stated that an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and that legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible based on the findings.

Village arbitration meetings remain a common method of attempting to resolve family and community disputes in many rural parts of Bangladesh. While such forums are intended to prevent conflicts from escalating into formal legal proceedings, this incident has highlighted the serious consequences that can arise when long-standing family tensions spiral out of control.

The shooting has sparked concern among local residents, many of whom have called for a transparent investigation and swift legal action. Community members hope the authorities will bring those responsible to justice and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.