Torching of homes in Abhaynagar: Men flee village, women in trauma

Despite the presence of law enforcers, almost all male residents of Dahor Moshiahathi in Jashore's Abhaynagar upazila have gone into hiding after a mob looted and torched their homes following the murder of a local Krishak Dal leader.

Women do not stay in their charred homes at night, fearing more attacks.

On Thursday evening, Tariqul Islam, 50, president of the Krishak Dal in Nawapara municipality and a resident of nearby Dhopadi village, was hacked and shot dead at a house in Dahor Moshiahathi. His family claims he was lured out and killed over a dispute regarding a shrimp enclosure lease.

Later that night, according to locals and victims, a mob stormed the village and looted, vandalised, and set fire to at least 18 houses of the Matua community. Two shops in a nearby bazar were also torched, and four others vandalised. At least 10 people were injured.

Four days later, no case has been filed, and no arrests have been made.

When this correspondent visited the village on Sunday, the aftermath of the attack was evident. Twisted, charred corrugated tin sheets lay across yards. Inside the gutted homes, furniture, clothing, electronics, and household goods were reduced to ashes.

At least five burnt motorcycles and a motorised van stood in front of the houses. Trees were scorched, and silos had been set ablaze. Some women were seen trying to salvage partially burned paddy from the ruins, while elderly women wept over the destruction and loss.

Not a single man was in sight. The women said their male relatives fled after the attack, and some only return briefly during the day to clean up. They sleep elsewhere for safety.

According to Shriti Biswas, whose home was attacked first, the violence began around 6:30pm as a religious programme, where 700 people were invited, was underway at her home.

She said that due to devotional music being played on loudspeakers, the killing and the chaos that took place only a few hundred feet away went unnoticed by her and the guests.

"Just before dusk, four men barged in and began smashing everything. They beat our guests and overturned our cooking pots. When I asked what they wanted, they kicked me to the ground and asked for my husband. When I said he wasn't home, they attacked my nephew Sagar Biswas instead," said Shriti.

"They burned at least 10 maunds of rice, stole our money and jewellery, and torched beds, TVs, harmoniums, khols, flutes which were among about 30 musical instruments prepared for the event," she added.

"Since that evening, I couldn't contact my husband and son," she added.

"The fire service arrived after 10:30pm, long after everything was destroyed," she said, breaking down in tears.

Another victim, Shiuli Biswas, was in her burnt house with two children and her elderly mother-in-law. Her husband also fled on the night of the attack.

"They took one of our motorcycles and burned another. They looted Tk 2.5 lakh in cash, three sets of gold jewellery, two TVs, 30 maunds of boiled paddy, and sacks of rice stored in the house. Everything is gone," she said.

She received two blankets, Tk 6,000, and some food from the Union Parishad. "But we don't want aid. We want peace and safety."

The story is more or less the same for every affected household -- men on the run, homes gutted, and women traumatised.

According to victims and locals, a few men began the attack around 6:30pm. Soon, around 150 people on 40–50 motorcycles and two cars joined in. They attacked the village homes first, then moved to Sundoli Bazar, where they looted and vandalised shops.

Locals also allege that some opportunists took part in the looting.

Victims say firefighters, aided by police and army protection, arrived at the scene at least 4/5 hours after the attack began.

Locals said Tariqul had a dispute over a shrimp enclosure lease in the Bil Kachurabad area. His rivals allegedly lured him to the house of Piltu Biswas, a resident of Dahor Moshiahathi, where he was killed.

Abhaynagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Alim confirmed that no arrests have been made and no case filed. He said the situation is now under control.