In a tragic incident in Kotalipara Upazila, Gopalganj, a widow lost her home after her drug-addicted son set it on fire. The incident occurred late on the night of Tuesday, 17 March, when 25-year-old Shahidul Islam, son of the late Shah Alam Sheikh from South Hiron village, allegedly torched the wooden and tin-structured house after being denied money for drugs. The fire completely destroyed the dwelling within minutes, leaving the mother with nowhere to seek shelter.
According to local sources, Shahidul had been struggling with drug addiction for a long period. On the night of the incident, he demanded money from his mother, Henara Begum, to purchase drugs. When she could not provide it, he forcibly evicted her from the house and set it ablaze. Neighbours rushed to extinguish the fire, but the house was already reduced to ashes before they could intervene.
Henara Begum spoke emotionally about her ordeal: “My son has been addicted to drugs for years. He constantly demands money from me to buy drugs. If I refuse, he resorts to physical violence. On that night, when I could not give him money, he threw me out of my own house and set it on fire. I have already lost my elder son, Oliullah, who went missing in India ten years ago. Six months ago, my husband died in a road accident while working in Barishal. My younger son is addicted to drugs. I do not know how I can survive now.”
Through tears, she added, “Even the place where I used to rest my head has been reduced to ashes. I have lost all will to live. How will I endure such grief?”
Neighbour Jamir Ali corroborated her account: “Shahidul has long been addicted. If he does not get money for drugs, he abuses his mother. Last night, when he could not get money, he set the house on fire. We ran to help, but it was too late. We hope no other family has to face such a tragedy.”
The following table summarises the key facts of the incident:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | South Hiron village, Kotalipara, Gopalganj |
| Date & Time | 17 March, night |
| Structure Type | Wooden and tin residential house |
| Victim | Henara Begum (mother) |
| Perpetrator | Shahidul Islam (25, drug-addicted son) |
| Damage | House completely destroyed by fire |
| Community Response | Attempted fire control, warning about drug abuse |
Kotalipara police officer-in-charge, Md. Riyad Mahmud, stated, “No formal complaint has been filed regarding this incident so far. Legal action will be taken once a complaint is received.”
The incident highlights the severe social consequences of drug addiction, leaving families vulnerable to violence and loss. Henara Begum’s plight has drawn local attention, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for community awareness and preventive measures against drug abuse.