A Hindu family in Bangladesh’s southern Bagerhat district has alleged that an armed group attacked their home, assaulted several family members and carried out large-scale vandalism and looting in an attempt to seize disputed land.
The incident occurred on 4 May in Ratia Rajapur village under Dhansagar Union of Sharankhola upazila.
According to the victims, the attack was carried out by a group of around 50 to 60 Islamists allegedly led by local influential figure Sobahan Hawlader, his sons Miraj and Abdullah, and his brothers Sarwar and Delowar. The assailants were reportedly armed with machetes, hammers, shovels and sticks.
The dispute is said to be linked to an ongoing legal conflict over land ownership between Robin Dhali and Sobahan Hawlader that has continued for the past several years.
Family members said the attackers stormed the property and began demolishing the house, damaging the roof, fences, furniture and other household belongings. Women in the family were allegedly beaten when they attempted to stop the attackers.
Five women sustained injuries in the incident, including Robin Dhali’s wife Seema Rani, 35; his mother Dulali Rani, 70; his grandmother Belka Rani, 90; and his aunts Bimala Rani, 60, and Leela Rani, 65. They were admitted to the local উপজেলা health complex for treatment.
Robin Dhali said he was away in neighbouring Morelganj upazila on personal business when the attack took place.
“Taking advantage of my absence, they brought in hired men from different areas and attempted to forcibly occupy my land,” he alleged. “My home has been completely destroyed. Gold ornaments and land documents kept inside two trunks were looted. We can no longer live there and are now sheltering at another person’s house.”
Dhali further alleged that during the years he worked in the garment industry in Chattogram, around 15 decimals of his legally documented land were fraudulently recorded under Sobahan Hawlader’s name. Multiple local mediation attempts reportedly failed, leading to a partition case being filed in a Bagerhat court. He claimed the latest attack was an attempt to evict his family while the case remains pending.
Relatives of the family, including retired teachers Nirmal Halder and Bijon Halder, described the incident as terrifying.
“We did not experience this level of fear and insecurity even during 1971,” they said. “Now, in an independent country, we are living in fear. We demand justice against those responsible and protection for the Hindu community.”
Local Hindu community leaders also expressed concern over the incident. Babul Das, president of the upazila Puja Celebration Committee, and general secretary Gopal Karmakar said the attack had created panic among minority residents in the area.
They called on authorities to ensure the safety of minority communities and to arrest those involved in the attack and bring them to justice.
Police have not yet publicly commented on the allegations.
