Dhaka: Miscreants allegedly demolished the house of a local Awami League leader using an excavator, looted valuables, and set the property on fire in Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali. The incident took place early Saturday at the residence of Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Lavlu Kazi, a former president of Madhabkhali Union Awami League and former chairman of the union parishad, located near Kathaltali Bazar on the Barguna-Subidkhali-Kathaltali-Bakerganj regional highway.
According to United News of Bangladesh, locals reported that Mizanur Rahman left the area with his family following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Since his departure, his elderly mother had been living alone in the house. She was admitted to a local hospital on Friday afternoon after falling ill. Taking advantage of the vacant house, a group of miscreants allegedly used an excavator to demolish the single-storey building during the night, looted household belongings, and set the house on fire before fleeing.
Mizanur Rahman’s brother, Kazi Mashiur Rahman Babul, shared several photos and a video of the demolished and burnt house on Facebook. Babul claimed that he had previously sought help from the administration and local BNP leaders after learning about preparations to attack the property. In his Facebook post, Babul alleged that local BNP leaders and activists, including Madhabkhali Union BNP President Shahin Chowdhury Pasha, were involved in the demolition, looting, and arson. He also claimed that gold ornaments, furniture, household appliances, and important documents were looted from the house.
When contacted about the allegations, Shahin Chowdhury Pasha denied any involvement. He asserted that the house was built on land registered in 2003 for a public library and stated that neither he nor his associates had any interest in demolishing the property.
Mirzaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Mohammad Russell visited the site on Saturday morning after receiving information about the incident. “The house has been reduced to rubble. I have instructed the police to investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice,” he said. Mohammad Touhiduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mirzaganj Police Station, mentioned that no written complaint had been received so far. “Legal action will be taken after an investigation if a complaint is filed,” the OC added.