Midnight Attack, Gunfire and Looting Alleged at Journalist's Home in Pekua; Injured Brother Files Complaint

In Pekua, Cox's Bazar, allegations have been raised of an attack, beating, looting and blank gunfire at a journalist's home over a land dispute. The journalist's younger brother, Ala Uddin, 37, was injured in the incident.

The incident took place at around 12:45am on Wednesday, October 21, in the Bainyaghona area of Magnama union in the upazila, according to the complaint.

The victim has filed a written complaint at Pekua Police Station naming 12 people and accusing another three to four unidentified people over the attack.

On Thursday, October 22, Imrul Hasan, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Pekua Police Station, confirmed receiving the complaint.

Those named in the complaint are Zahed Hossain, Ashraful Mehrab Muhib, Atikur Rahman, Enamul Haque, Ikhtiar Uddin, Md Abdullah, Abdul Majid, Rashed Uddin, Shahidul Islam, Ershad Hossain, Kamal Hossain and Md Rajib, all from the same area.

According to the complaint and local sources, Ala Uddin had long been in dispute with the accused over homestead land. On the morning of October 21 at around 8am, the accused allegedly tried, armed with local weapons, to loot fish from the pond of their homestead, the complaint says.

When he resisted, they allegedly beat Ala Uddin indiscriminately and injured him. When his wife came forward to protect him, she was allegedly molested and gold earrings worth about Tk30,000 were snatched from her ears, the complaint states.

When local people came forward, the attackers left after issuing threats. The two injured people were taken to Pekua Upazila Health Complex for primary treatment.

The complaint further says the accused have long harassed journalist Gias Uddin and members of his family in various ways. There are also allegations that Gias Uddin has been openly threatened with murder.

According to the complaint, at around 12:45am on Wednesday the accused threw brickbats at Ala Uddin's home, armed with a locally made gun, a sharp kirich, machetes and iron rods. Hearing the noise he came out of the house, and Zahed Hossain allegedly struck him on the head with the kirich with intent to kill, seriously injuring him.

The other accused also beat him with iron rods and sticks, it is alleged. At one stage the attackers entered the house and looted goods worth about Tk50,000, including furniture and important documents. While leaving, they fired blank shots from the gun to create panic in the area, the complaint states.

Local people later rescued the seriously injured Ala Uddin and admitted him to Pekua Upazila Health Complex. Ala Uddin said the accused are very influential, and that he and his family are now living in extreme insecurity.

Pekua Police Station OC (Investigation) Imrul Hasan said a written complaint has been received. Legal action will be taken against those involved subject to verification and investigation, he said. What steps follow will now depend on that investigation.