A local leader of the Youth League, an affiliate of Bangladesh’s Awami League, was hacked to death at his home in Muradnagar, Cumilla. His family says Tk 1 billion ($10 million) had previously been demanded from him as extortion.
Mohammad Anwar Hossain, 40, was a member of Ward No. 2 of Srikail Union Parishad and president of the ward-level Youth League unit. He was attacked in Uttar Pennai village early Sunday (September 13). His wife, Momena Begum, was also injured.
According to the family, a group of men led by former union parishad member Firoz Hossain attacked Anwar’s house with locally made weapons. Anwar was seriously injured in the attack, while Momena hurt her hand trying to step in and save him.
Family members said Anwar had been hiding outside the area for about two and a half years. He quietly returned home late Saturday night. They alleged that the attackers came to the house around 3:30am after finding out he was back.
Momena said that after Anwar was attacked, someone made an announcement through the village mosque’s loudspeaker claiming a robbery was taking place. She said the announcement appeared to be an attempt to draw attention away from the attack. She also claimed that the family was stopped from taking the critically injured Anwar to hospital.
With help from police from Bangra Bazar Police Station, Anwar was eventually rescued around 6am and taken to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex. Doctors there declared him dead.
Dr Nazmus Sakir, an emergency department physician at the health complex, said Anwar was already dead when he arrived. He said Anwar may have died on the way to the hospital.
Anwar’s cousin, Mohammad Jasim Uddin, said that when Anwar had previously tried to return to the area, people allegedly linked to Firoz Hossain demanded Tk 1 billion from him as extortion. They also allegedly threatened to kill him if he came back without paying, Jasim said.
Jasim said the attack was planned after the group learned that Anwar had returned home Saturday night.
Firoz Hossain, or anyone representing him, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Police said they were investigating the incident and working to identify and arrest those involved.
COMMENTS