Questions have arisen surrounding a case filed over the alleged assault of a child stemming from a land dispute in Betagi, Barguna. Mokleshur Rahman, the main accused in the case, claims that the lawsuit was filed to harass him over a long-standing land dispute. Conversely, the complainant, school teacher Aminul Islam Bulbul, maintains that the disputed land is his ancestral property. Meanwhile, conflicting statements regarding the child's presence at school on the day of the incident provided by the headmaster and class teacher have sparked fresh debate locally.
The incident occurred in Phultala village under Bibichini Union of Betagi Upazila, Barguna. Local discussions have intensified as dispute over land ownership and possession exists alongside conflicting timelines and details regarding the alleged assault on the child.
According to local sources and relevant individuals, on the night of April 23, Aminul Islam Bulbul, an assistant teacher at Uttar Ranipur Government Primary School, constructed a house on a plot adjacent to Gariyabuniya Phultala Government Primary School. Locals claimed that 30 to 40 people accompanied him that night. On the other hand, Mokleshur Rahman's family claims to have been in possession of the land for nearly 50 years, adding that the grave of Mokleshur's late mother, Joynab Bibi, is located on the property.
The ongoing feud over ownership and possession has previously led to press conferences and counter-statements.
A field visit on October 18 revealed two signboards bearing the names of Farooq Hossain and the late Joynab Bibi placed next to the newly constructed structure.
Local sources reported that an altercation broke out when Mokleshur Rahman confronted Aminul Islam Bulbul regarding the house construction. Sobhan Mulla was also present at the scene. At one stage, a scuffle ensued between Aminul Islam Bulbul's wife, Tajnipa Akhtar, and Mokleshur Rahman's wife, Moyna Begum.
Subsequently, Aminul Islam Bulbul and Tajnipa Akhtar alleged that Mokleshur Rahman assaulted their son, MM An, at around 11:30 AM on that day. A case was filed under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, on April 27, 2026. Mokleshur Rahman and three others were named as accused, alongside four to five unidentified individuals. Sub-Inspector Aporbo Kanti Mondal was assigned as the investigating officer for the case.
However, the headmaster and class teacher of the child's school provided contradictory information regarding the alleged assault. According to them, MM An was present at school from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM on the day of the incident, after which his mother, Tajnipa Akhtar, who is also an assistant teacher at Gariyabuniya Phultala Government Primary School, took him home citing illness.
Denying the assault charges, Mokleshur Rahman stated that while a land dispute exists, he did not harm the child, maintaining that the case was manufactured solely to harass him. He demanded a fair investigation to ensure justice.
Meanwhile, journalists attempting to reach Aminul Islam Bulbul for comments reportedly faced resistance from several individuals. Bulbul later stated that the disputed property is their ancestral land and that he simply wishes to secure possession of his rightful property.
Police sources confirmed that the land in question has been under long-standing dispute, noting that it is joint property consisting of two portions. However, Aminul Islam Bulbul claims sole possession of a specific plot number.
In a related development, Mokleshur Rahman submitted a written complaint to the District Primary Education Officer regarding the regular attendance records of Aminul Islam Bulbul and Tajnipa Akhtar. In response, the District Primary Education Officer assigned an Assistant Upazila Primary Education Officer to investigate the matter.
Local stakeholders and residents have demanded a neutral and thorough investigation into the actual land ownership, possession dispute, and child assault allegations to bring out the truth and initiate proper legal proceedings
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Sohel Rana, Barguna Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
