In a violent incident in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, a mother and her son were brutally attacked and injured by assailants attempting to forcibly occupy their land. The attackers also vandalized and looted their home. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon (July 24) in the New Para area of Ward No. 8, Dulahazara Union. A video of the attack went viral on social media on Saturday morning, bringing the incident to public attention. The victims have been identified as Ayesha Begum, wife of Syed Alam, and her son Nur Mohammad, both residents of the area.Nur Mohammad, the primary victim, filed a written complaint at Chakaria Police Station, naming nine individuals, including Abu Taher, son of the late Nur Ahmad, and his two sons, Jamal and Zamir, from the same area. The viral video circulating on social media shows Abu Taher and his sons, along with others, attacking a woman with local weapons, after which she collapses to the ground.
Narrating the ordeal, Nur Mohammad said, “For 60 years, we have been living on this homestead. A few months ago, someone named Zebunnahar claimed ownership of a portion of the land. In February this year, we purchased that portion from them. However, Abu Taher, claiming to have bought the same land, repeatedly threatened to forcibly occupy it.”
He further explained, “On Thursday, they attempted to take over the land with the help of local thugs. When we proposed measuring the land with surveyors in the presence of a local Union Parishad member, they became furious. Ayat Ullah verbally abused me and slapped me twice. I ran into the house to escape, but the attackers dragged me out and beat me. When my mother, Ayesha Begum, tried to intervene, they assaulted her too, striking her head with a sharp weapon, causing severe injuries. They also vandalized and looted our home.” Local residents later rescued them and admitted them to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex.
Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shafiqul Islam stated, “Upon receiving the news, a police team visited the scene. Legal proceedings regarding the incident are underway.”
The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, raising concerns about escalating violence over land disputes in the area.
