Miscreants demolish 30 houses in Rangunia

Photo: collected

In a bid to grab 80 decimals of land, a group of Jubo League men allegedly demolished houses belonging to at least 30 families in Rangunia upazila of Chittagong on Sunday.

In protest, the families yesterday formed a human chain in front of Chittagong Press Club and sought the prime minister's intervention.

On Sunday morning, a group of men led by Elias Kanchon Chowdhury, joint secretary of Rangunia upazila unit of Jubo League, forcibly evicted at least 30 families from Chandraghana area of the upazila, alleged Bilkis Begum, one of the residents.

Bilkis alleged that the Jubo League men had been threatening them to leave their homes for the last two months. Middle and lower-middle income families used to reside in the tin-shed houses, she added.

Ruma Akther, another resident, alleged, “They first built a wall in front of our residents to restrict our movement. On the day, around 100 men, brandishing firearms, stormed into the houses and looted everything. They later bulldozed 30 houses.”

They [Jubo League men] were trying to grab the 80-decimal land, she claimed. “We want the prime minister's intervention to save our homes and lives.”

“We have become homeless now. Some are now living with their relatives while others under the open sky,” said Ruma Akther.

Imtiaz Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Rangunia Police Station, said police rushed to the spot on the day to maintain the law and order situation. “There is a longstanding dispute over the land's ownership. A case is also ongoing at a Rangunia court.”

Contacted, joint secretary Elias said he had no connection with the incident. “There are multiple parties involved, who are claiming ownership of the land. The issue would be decided by the court. Why would I threaten them to leave their homes,” he said. When asked about demolition of the houses, the OC said, “We are investigating the matter.” He, however, denied Elias' role in this regard.