The family of the late Alhajj Moinuddin Chowdhury has raised allegations of threats of eviction, physical attacks, and assault stemming from a dispute over ancestral property in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar. In light of these incidents, the family has sought the intervention of the administration to ensure the safety and security of its members.
On Thursday (October 29) at 7:00 PM, these allegations were presented at a press conference organized on behalf of the family of the late Moinuddin Chowdhury of the Namar Chiringa Chairmanpara area under Ward No. 8 of Chakaria Pourashava. The press conference was held at the Chakaria upazila office of the Committee for Prevention of Torture Against Journalists.
The written statement at the press conference was read out by Yasir Arafat Chowdhury, the eldest son of the late Moinuddin Chowdhury. His brothers Yasir Farhad Chowdhury and Tamjid Chowdhury were also present during the conference.
In the written statement, Yasir Arafat Chowdhury stated that their father's ancestral property had long been looked after by their paternal uncle, Abdullah. On the other hand, land-related lawsuits and legal proceedings were being managed by his younger brother, Farhad Chowdhury.
He alleged that during a family meeting held at their residence in November of last year—attended by paternal aunts, cousins, uncle, and aunt-in-law—discussions took place regarding accounts related to land sales and litigation expenses. In that meeting, it was determined that their uncle Abdullah owed them a total of 13 lakh taka. Of this sum, a commitment was made to pay 4 lakh taka by the following December. It was also decided at the meeting that from that day onward, his younger brother Farhad Chowdhury would manage their father's ancestral property and utilize the proceeds generated from the property to fund legal proceedings.
Yasir Arafat further alleged that the promised 4 lakh taka was never paid. Instead, their uncle Abdullah fell and took away several trees from their residential homestead. When legal measures were initiated regarding this occurrence, the opposing party became enraged. As a consequence, when his younger brother went to cultivate the land on October 25, an attack was launched against him under the leadership of uncle Abdullah and his aunt-in-law, he alleged.
He stated that upon receiving news of the incident, he and his brother Touhid Chowdhury rushed to the scene, whereupon they too were attacked. During the assault, his brother Farhad Chowdhury sustained severe injuries from stabbing. Subsequently, while they were undergoing medical treatment for their injuries, his uncle, aunt-in-law, and paternal aunts launched false promotional campaigns against them across various social media platforms, he claimed.
Speaking at the press conference, the injured Farhad Chowdhury stated that even after launching the violent attack, the opposing party did not stop. They continue to issue threats through mobile phones and various other channels. Despite lodging multiple complaints with the police station regarding these threats, they claimed they have not received expected security from law enforcement.
Family members expressed that they are living in extreme anxiety and insecurity due to the repeated attacks and threats arising from the ancestral property dispute. Under these circumstances, they appealed for urgent intervention from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Home Minister to guarantee the safety of life and property for their family members.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by H. M. Ruhul Kader, Chakaria Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
