Arson alleged over case in Netrokona's Mohanganj, Hepi Akter's family leaves locked home

In Shukdevpur village in Mohanganj upazila of Netrokona, neighbours have been accused of setting fire to a woman's home and vandalising it after she refused to withdraw a case. After the incident, the family has left home and taken shelter elsewhere, citing insecurity.

Hepi Akter, 39, daughter of Lal Mia of Shukdevpur village, filed a written complaint at Mohanganj police station on Thursday afternoon, October 29.

The complaint names neighbour Kamal Hossain, 42, his two brothers Selowar Hossain, 45, and Mofazzal, 38, his nephew Alim, 26, and Billal Hossain of Kandapara village in Barhatta upazila. Another six or seven unidentified people were also accused.

According to the complaint, Hepi Akter's family had a long-running dispute with Kamal Hossain's family over land and other matters.

On September 22, Kamal and others were accused of beating and injuring Hepi Akter. The next day her husband filed a case against Kamal at the police station, which is now under trial in court.

Hepi Akter alleges that last Sunday the accused threatened her and her family to settle the case through compromise. Following that, on Tuesday at about 1 a.m., Kamal Hossain and his men entered their home with local weapons, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, doors and windows of the dwelling were hacked and an old house on the premises was set on fire. Hepi Akter says the damage amounts to about three lakh taka.

She says family members have felt insecure since the incident and, in fear, were forced to leave home and take shelter elsewhere.

On Thursday noon, Hepi Akter and her father Lal Mia could not be found in Shukdevpur village; their house was seen locked. Neighbour Abdul Barek said the family has not been at home since the fire incident and he does not know where they have gone.

Kamal Hossain, however, denied the allegation. He said the whole complaint is false, they were not involved in setting the fire, and blame is being placed on them out of vindictiveness. He said Hepi Akter's family is not absconding but staying at a relative's house, and that although there is a minor land dispute, they did not beat her.

Mohanganj police station officer-in-charge Hafizul Islam Harun said a written complaint has been received and appropriate legal action will be taken after investigation.