Cumilla, Bangladesh — Tensions erupted into violence in the Alekharchar area of Cumilla’s Adarsha Sadar upazila, as two individuals, a brother and sister, were reportedly attacked by family members over a property dispute last Friday. The incident, which has drawn significant attention after footage circulated on social media, has spurred a police inquiry, although formal charges have yet to be filed.
Local reports indicate that the altercation stemmed from an ongoing land ownership dispute involving Mahbubur Rahman, and his sister, Sheuli Akter, who claim they were assaulted by paternal cousins. The alleged attackers include Mazharul Haque, his son Mahi, and Mokhlesur Rahman, who are accused of using bamboo sticks and other local weapons in the assault. The confrontation reportedly escalated after the cousins attempted to demolish a boundary wall Sheuli had erected around her legally acquired land.
Sheuli Akter recounted the ordeal, noting that her brother confronted their cousins as they began to destroy the boundary wall, leading to the violent backlash. She claimed the attackers inflicted severe head injuries on Mahbubur, necessitating his hospitalization. Additionally, Sheuli alleged that the attackers demanded a substantial sum of money as extortion, and destroyed property worth approximately Tk 1 lakh.
The response from local law enforcement has been under scrutiny. When Sheuli Akter attempted to file a police report on Saturday, the local police station initially declined to register the case. The officer in charge at Kotwali Police Station later confirmed that the case was under review but had not yet been formally registered.
The land dispute, as described by witnesses, has been a source of prolonged hostility, affecting the victims for several months. Abdul Karim, Sheuli’s husband, emphasized that despite possessing all necessary legal documents confirming their ownership, his wife’s family has faced continuous harassment, both verbal and physical, from the accused parties.
Although Mokhlesur Rahman acknowledged Sheuli Akter’s legitimate ownership of the disputed land, he indicated that Mazharul Haque has persistently refused to recognize her rights to the property. This acknowledgment reveals a possible internal disagreement among the assailants regarding the legitimacy of the land claim.
The incident underscores the broader issue of land disputes in rural Bangladesh, which often lead to family conflicts and violence. These disputes can linger without resolution due to the complexities of land ownership laws and local enforcement practices, which may vary significantly between regions.
Community leaders and local authorities are increasingly under pressure to address these disputes promptly and justly to prevent further escalation of violence and to ensure the safety and legal rights of all parties involved. The outcome of the police investigation into this particular case could set important precedents for how similar disputes are handled in the future.