In a disturbing incident in Rupdia Madhyapara of Jessore Sadar Upazila, at least 14 impoverished families were subjected to a violent attack, vandalism, and looting by an armed group on the morning of April 13. The two-hour-long assault left multiple people injured, homes destroyed, and valuables worth several lakhs of taka looted. A case has been filed at the Kotwali Police Station, naming several local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists as the alleged perpetrators.
According to the complaint filed by rickshaw-van driver Milan Hossain, the attackers were led by Jamaat leader Khabir Khan and included activists Zahid Ali, Ramzan Ali, Saddam Hossain, Zubayer Hossain, Aslam, and 40-50 unidentified men. The attackers allegedly used local weapons and forcefully entered the houses, damaging property and physically assaulting the residents.
Victims claim the attackers are affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami and have been attempting to seize the land where the families have been living for over five decades. The land originally belonged to one Sayeed Box, who had allowed the families to settle there. After his death, Khabir Khan and his associates began asserting ownership over the land and attempted multiple times to evict the residents through both legal and coercive means.
The political situation following recent changes in national power dynamics appears to have emboldened these individuals, as per the victims. The April 13 attack was reportedly the culmination of months of threats and pressure to vacate the land.
Milan Hossain reported significant financial losses in the attack, including Tk 40,000 in cash and gold ornaments worth Tk 70,000 belonging to his wife, Salma Khatun. Other victims also suffered heavy losses—Razia’s house was looted of gold jewelry worth Tk 1.05 lakh, Ismail lost Tk 60,000 in cash, Priya’s gold earrings were taken, and Ansar’s house was looted of Tk 70,000. Siddiq’s home was ransacked, with furniture, a TV, and a refrigerator destroyed—total damage exceeding Tk 5 lakh, in addition to Tk 35,000 in cash being stolen.
Several women, including Ansar, Sufia, Razia, Janu, Parveen, and Salma Begum, were injured in the attack. Salma Khatun stated that many were beaten with sticks and blunt weapons. Others reported that valuables and household items were deliberately destroyed.
Shoriful Islam, another victim, said, “We were beaten indiscriminately. Many of us were injured, and now we live in fear.”
The victims allege that despite police arriving at the scene shortly after the incident, no immediate action was taken, and the attackers continue to threaten them with further violence unless they leave their homes.
Political leaders from both BNP and Jamaat visited the area on Tuesday to assess the situation. Anindya Islam Amit, BNP’s Organizing Secretary for the Khulna division, stated, “This was a barbaric attack. The victims have identified the attackers as being associated with Jamaat. No political party should support such actions. We demand the arrest of the perpetrators and justice for the victims.”
Jessore district Jamaat Ameer Professor Golam Rasul, while expressing sympathy for the victims, denied any involvement of his party’s members in the attack. He said, “We have always supported the underprivileged. If any person is proven to be guilty, they should be punished. We’ve also provided financial assistance to the affected families and will continue to support them.”
Police officials confirmed that a case has been filed and investigations are ongoing. Kotwali Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Kazi Babul Hossain said, “We visited the location multiple times after the incident. The suspects are currently absconding, but we are conducting raids to arrest them.”
Meanwhile, the affected families remain in a state of fear, apprehensive that they may be attacked again. Many of them have taken shelter elsewhere, fearing for their safety, as threats from the alleged attackers persist.