Jhalokathi, Dec 20, (V7N) - In Rajapur, Jhalokathi, a new controversy has emerged after an alleged attack on a sleeping elderly family, led by Awami League UP member Abdus Sobhan Howlader and his son Touhidul Islam Chan. The incident involved an assault, vandalism, looting, and arson, which left 11 people injured. Despite the police arresting attackers armed with homemade weapons, they were reportedly released soon after.

The attack took place in the early hours of Friday, December 20, in the Akhsur Club area of Narkelbariya village, Shuktagor Union, when the family of Abul Hossain Mirdha, a 50-year-old man, was targeted while they were asleep. The assailants, led by Abdus Sobhan Howlader, Touhidul Islam Chan, and others, allegedly attempted to seize disputed land and carried out a violent assault on the sleeping family members, including women and children. According to the victims, the attackers also engaged in destruction, theft, and arson inside Abul Hossain's house.

The police, upon arrival at the scene, arrested three attackers armed with local sharp weapons, but the victims claim that the attackers were later released under mysterious circumstances. The injured were transferred to Rajapur Health Complex for treatment, including Abul Hossain Mirdha (50) and his sister-in-law, Nazma Begum (35), along with several others.

The dispute originated from a land transaction in 2012, when Abul Hossain purchased 12 acres of land from his uncle. The land in question has since been contested, with the attackers trying to seize it by force. In the early hours of Friday, the attackers, including Moazzem Hossain Monowar, who had previously purchased the land, along with Abdus Sobhan Howlader, and Touhidul Islam Chan, reportedly led a group of nearly 50 armed individuals to attack the family.

During the assault, Abul Mirdha was tied to a betel nut tree, beaten, and injured. The attackers also set fire to his house, looted valuables, and vandalized the property. Several children, including a newborn, were reportedly harmed in the chaos.

The victims allege that when they contacted the emergency services by dialing 999, the police arrived and apprehended three attackers, but they were released shortly after. The victims also claimed that all the attackers were affiliated with the Awami League.

Both Abdus Sobhan Howlader and his son, Touhidul Islam Chan, denied the accusations. They claimed that they were not involved in the attack, which occurred due to a dispute over land. Touhidul Islam Chan stated he had been in Dhaka since Monday and was not present during the incident.

Meanwhile, Moazzem Hossain Monowar, one of the accused, claimed that the attack was unprovoked and that he had been attacked by the opposing group after offering prayers at dawn. He added that the land dispute had been ongoing for some time, and four members of his side were also injured in the conflict. A formal complaint has been filed at the police station.

Rajapur Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC), Md. Ismail Hossain, confirmed that he personally went to the site with police officers to control the situation. He mentioned that both parties had been wielding sticks and other weapons, which prompted the police to separate them to prevent further violence. He added that no arrests had been made, but the authorities would take necessary legal action if a formal written complaint was filed.

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