Attacks and vandalism on 14 houses in Jashore, case filed against Jamaat activists

Houses of 14 poor families were attacked, vandalized and looted in Rupsdia Madhya Para of Jashore Sadar upazila. The attack was carried out with local weapons for two hours on Sunday morning. In this incident, a victim filed a case at Kotwali Police Station. The case named Khabir Kha, Zahid Ali, Ramzan Ali, Saddam Hossain, Jubayer Hossain and Aslam of the area, along with 40-50 unnamed individuals as accused. Victims alleged that the accused in the case are Jamaat leaders and activists.

Upon receiving news of the attack, top BNP and Jamaat leaders visited the scene on Tuesday. They demanded the arrest of the actual culprits. Police stated that operations are underway to arrest those accused in the incident. Victims alleged that 60-70 leaders and activists supported by Jamaat-e-Islami jointly attacked and displaced them. They are even threatening to attack again. However, Jamaat leaders denied the involvement of their party members in this incident and demanded the arrest of the culprits.

Speaking with police and locals, it was found that 14 landless families have been living in Rupsdia Madhya Para of Sadar for more than 50 years. The original owner of the land, Sayed Box, gave them shelter. After his death, Jamaat activist Khabir Kha and his followers tried to claim and occupy the land. They failed even after filing a case. Since the political change on August 5, they started threatening to occupy the land.

Most recently, on the morning of April 13, an armed group of 60-70 Jamaat leaders and activists carried out an attack and vandalized 14 houses. At that time, men and women present in the houses were beaten. The victims alleged that along with vandalizing their houses, the attackers looted everything. Although police arrived upon receiving the news, they took no action, which is why they are being threatened with attacks again. On the very night of the incident, victim easy-bike driver Milon Hossain filed a case at Kotwali Police Station as the plaintiff.

It was mentioned in the case statement that most of the attackers were local Jamaat leaders, activists and supporters. Affected Sufia Begum stated that 14 families have been living in Rupsdia Madhya Para for more than 50 years. Jamaat activists carried out the attack to occupy the land. Along with vandalizing their houses, they looted everything. Although police arrived upon receiving the news, they took no action.

Victim Milon Hossain stated that Rupsdia Jamaat leader Khabir Kha, activist Zahid Ali, Ramzan Ali, Saddam Hossain, Jubayer Hossain, Aslam and 40-50 unnamed persons are involved in this attack. Most of the attackers are local leaders, activists and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami. Milon Hossain said, "Losses worth one lakh 20 thousand taka were incurred in the attack and vandalism. The attackers took away gold earrings worth 70 thousand taka from the house of my wife Salma Khatun."

Gold jewelry worth one lakh five thousand taka was looted from Rajia's house, 60 thousand taka in cash from Ismail's house, a pair of gold earrings from Priya's house, 70 thousand taka in cash from Ansar's house, and 40 thousand taka from Milon's house. Additionally, the attackers caused damages worth five lakh taka by vandalizing furniture, television and fridge at Siddique's house and looted 35 thousand taka in cash. Ansar, Sufia, Rajia, Janu, Parveen and Salma Begum were injured in the beatings by the attackers.

Victim Salma Khatun said several women were injured by the blows of the attackers' sticks. The fridge and television inside the house were vandalized. They looted gold ornaments and cash worth several lakh taka. Another victim named Shariful Islam said, "Many of us were injured in the indiscriminate beatings by the attackers." The victims alleged that local Khabir Kha, known as a Jamaat leader, and his people are still telling them to leave their houses, threatening to burn down their houses otherwise.

They are spending their days in panic as they could be targeted in an attack at any time. However, as the main accused Khabir Kha, Zahid Ali, Ramzan Ali, Saddam Hossain and others have been absconding since the incident, their statements could not be taken. Upon receiving news of the attack, top BNP and Jamaat leaders visited the spot on Tuesday afternoon. BNP's Khulna divisional organizing secretary Anindya Islam Amit said, "A hellish rampage has been carried out here. The victims say those involved in Jamaat politics did this.

We believe no political party supports such activities. We strongly condemn this incident and demand the arrest of those involved. We believe Jamaat-e-Islami will not shelter miscreants in any way." He said, "We have already stood by the affected families. In the future, assistance will be provided including legal aid and rebuilding houses." Visiting the spot, district Jamaat Ameer Professor Golam Rasul expressed sympathy towards the victims.

However, he denied the involvement of his party's leaders and activists in the attack. He said, We have always stayed beside the victims. The victims say the attackers are Jamaat workers and supporters. We believe no Jamaat leader or worker can commit such an incident. Therefore, we demand the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in this incident. At the same time, we have provided financial assistance to the victims today and will remain by their side in the future.

Regarding this matter, Jashore Kotwali Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Kazi Babul Hossain said, "After the attack, we also visited the spot several times. Victims have filed a case. The matter is under investigation. However, the accused are absconding. Operations are underway to arrest them." Source: Bangla Tribune