A man succumbed to injuries in a hospital three days after a brawl over a land dispute. Initially, a complaint was lodged against Awami League leaders and activists, but their names were later dropped from the case. Instead, a BNP-supporting family, including three brothers and several others, was implicated.

The incident occurred 11 years ago, on September 21, 2013, in Nadampur village, under Khalilpur Union (Ward No. 1) of Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila.

According to reports, the murder case was filed by Jharna Begum, wife of the deceased victim, Abdul Gaffar. The accused included three brothers—Monir Hossain (46), Mir Hossain (33), and Abdul Mukit (50), sons of the late Abdus Sattar from Nadampur village. Additionally, Shahin Mia (35), son of Satir Ullah from the same village, was listed as the 11th accused, along with a total of 11 individuals. The three brothers were sentenced to life in prison, while others received varying prison terms. However, an on-ground investigation revealed that Mir Hossain, Shahin Mia, and Abdul Mukit were not involved in the brawl.

A fascist faction within the Awami League had established a reign of terror in the area over the past 17 years. Monir Hossain, the first accused in the case, was the Joint General Secretary of BNP’s Khalilpur Union Ward No. 3. Because of their BNP affiliation, their family members were framed in the murder case.

Meanwhile, Abdul Gaffar Doyal’s brothers—Abdus Sabur (50) and Sohel Mia (37), sons of the late Abdul Gani of Nadampur village—along with Awami League leader Ashraf Ali Khan (45), son of the late Shamsher Ali Khan, were themselves accused in a case for attacking students protesting against discrimination. The case was registered as No. 7/222 on August 19, 2024.

Locals and relatives reported that Abdul Gaffar Doyal, along with his brothers Abdus Sabur and Sohel Mia, and their Awami League supporters, had seized Monir Hossain’s family’s land 16-17 years ago. The residents were so terrified of their power that no one dared to protest.

On the morning of September 21, 2013, Abdul Mukit got into an argument with Abdul Gaffar Doyal. Around 11 AM, Monir Hossain was working in front of his house when Abdul Gaffar, accompanied by his brothers, son, and a group of men, attacked him and stabbed him with a spear (locally known as “cholphi”). Hearing Monir’s cries, his relatives and neighbors rushed to the scene, leading to a violent clash between both groups.

Mir Hossain was not in the area at the time as he was on duty driving a vehicle. Shahin Mia arrived at the scene after hearing the news, only to be falsely implicated as the 11th accused. Meanwhile, Abdul Mukit was in Sherpur Bazaar at the time and only returned home after hearing of his brother Monir’s injuries.

For the past 11 years, the families of the accused have been living in dire poverty. Monir Hossain’s wife, Rubina Begum, and Shahin Mia’s wife, Sabana Begum, stated that their children, who were just 5-7 years old at the time, have now grown up and taken up auto-rickshaw driving to support their families. The families could not afford to educate their children due to their prolonged financial crisis.

An appeal against the verdict is ongoing, and the families have demanded the release of those who were not even present at the scene during the incident.