Rajbari: A man injured in an attack following a longstanding land dispute in the Sadar upazila of Rajbari district died on Monday night, triggering arson at the houses of the accused early Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Atar Sheikh, 55, son of Ainuddin Sheikh of Bethulia Khondkar Para under Ramkantapur union of the upazila.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Inspector (Investigation) Russell Molla of Rajbari Sadar Police Station stated that the conflict was between Syed Javed Ali of Mia Para and Jalil Sheikh of Khondkar Para over nearly 18 acres of land in Bethulia Khondkar Para. Javed Ali had established a homestead on the disputed land after the Liberation War. Tensions escalated when Jalil Sheikh's sons claimed the land as ancestral property following his death and built a tin-shed house two months ago.
The dispute reached the court after local mediation efforts failed. Family members of the victim reported that around 7:00 a.m. on Monday, 40-50 people led by Shamsul Haque Surjo, president of Ward No. 3 Awami League, attacked their newly built house, triggering a clash that left 20 people, including Atar Sheikh, injured. The attackers vandalized and set fire to the structure while assaulting family members.
Atar Sheikh succumbed to his injuries at Sadar hospital around 8:30 p.m. while being taken to Dhaka for better treatment. A case was filed at Sadar police station on Monday night, leading to the arrest of Syed Shahin, 40, son of Syed Javed Ali of Mia Para.
In retaliation, agitated supporters of Atar Sheikh set fire to the houses of accused Afaz Uddin and Rifaz Uddin around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, resulting in four houses being gutted. To maintain law and order, additional police have been deployed in the area, as confirmed by Inspector Russel.