Md. Abdul Halim, Kathalia (Jhalokathi) 

Four business establishments in Bot Tola Bazar of Kathalia Upazila in Jhalokathi, were reportedly vandalized, looted, and attacked early Thursday (1 May). The incident occurred at around 4 a.m. Several individuals, including a disabled woman, were injured and later treated locally.Victim Md. Harun-or-Rashid said,  he had purchased the land from his father-in-law and had been running his business and living with his family there for a long time. In the early hours of Thursday, a group of individuals identifying themselves as police came to his shop and asked him to open the door. When he didn’t respond, they broke in. Masked assailants tied him with rope, taped his son Mehedi Hasan’s mouth, tied him to a post, and held the rest of the family hostage while vandalizing the business. They looted gold jewelry and goods and physically assaulted women, including a disabled person. Harun alleged that local influential Nasir Uddin Sarwar ordered the attack, which was carried out by local miscreants including Lokman Khan.In response, Faisal Hossain said his father, Abul Gani Hawlader, had given him 6 decimals of land and another 6 decimals to his sister Rozina Begum and her husband Harun-or-Rashid, who were entrusted with raising him. However, they did not care for him and have been illegally occupying his portion of land. Despite repeated requests, they refused to vacate it, prompting him to sell the land to Nasir Uddin.Nasir Uddin Sarwar denied all allegations, stating that the land in question legally belongs to Faisal Hossain through inheritance and sale. He said, “Faisal sold the land to me. There may be a family dispute between Faisal and his sister, but I have no involvement. From what I know, Faisal’s sister has forcefully occupied his land for years.”Md. Saidur Rahman, Acting President of the Bot Tola Bazaar Business Association, said that there had been an ongoing dispute over land between Harun and his brother-in-law Faisal. “Faisal approached us several times. We urged Harun to discuss the matter and settle it, but he did not respond. I don’t know who vandalized the shops.”Kathalia Police Station OC  Mong Chenla said,  we sent police to the scene upon receiving the report. Legal action will be taken following a written complaint.Long-standing land dispute,Armed and masked intruders,Alleged involvement of local influential figure,Police awaiting formal complaint to proceed