Fear now permeates lives

A tense situation is prevailing among the people of the Baptist colony by Baptist Mission Road in Barisal city after the hired goons of a real estate company allegedly attacked them on Friday during a land grabbing attempt.

After visiting the colony it was found that the 25 families of Baptist Christians on the 2.53-acre land, mostly carpenters and labourers were in panic as the cops, posted in the area to stop any further incidents, were already withdrawn.

“We do not know what will happen to us. What if they attack again?” said a frightened Shova Bala, 60, who also got injured during the attack.

Johnson Merry Guha, assistant secretary of Baptist Church in the colony, claimed Olympic Properties Limited on the basis of fake documents and some eight to 10 hired goons carrying sticks tried to take possession of a portion of the community land, injuring seven colony members in the process.

The land grabbing bid failed as the community members refused to leave, she said.

She informed a case was pending with a court against the real estate company, which claimed to have purchased the land. “We have prevented them this time…,” she said nervously.

“The situation is now under control. We have spoken to the both parties,” said Abu Saleh Md Rayhan, deputy commissioner (north) of Barisal Metropolitan Police, adding, “A case is pending, so no one can violate the court's order. If needed, police protection will be provided.”

“We are strictly maintaining the law and order situation,” he added.