Factory attacked and looted in Karnaphuli over land-rent dispute; gate cut open, guards beaten

A case has been filed over an organised attack, vandalism and looting at a factory in Karnaphuli, Chattogram, following a dispute over land rent. Five people have been named as accused, along with several unidentified persons, in the case filed with Karnaphuli police station.

The incident took place at around 10:30am on 30 October at Benchmark Apparels Limited in the Khwajnagar Azimpara area of Karnaphuli upazila.

According to the case statement, a group of 14 to 15 people led by Md. Nasir Uddin of M/s NI Syndicate Auto Industries arrived at the factory’s main gate carrying locally made weapons, sticks and rods. They then cut through the iron gate with a grinder machine and entered the factory without permission.

The factory’s security guards — Md. Abdul Mannan (24), Md. Rashed (17) and Md. Mostak (42) — were beaten with fists and hockey sticks. They were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where they received primary treatment.

The case statement further says the accused cut scrap materials and machine parts kept outside the factory with a grinder machine and took away goods worth about two lakh taka.

Factory manager Md. Sirajul Mostofa (49) filed the case as plaintiff, naming Md. Nasir Uddin (63), Md. Suman (45), Nur Mohammad (55), Md. Absar alias Absar Majhi (58) and Kishore Barua (55) of M/s NI Syndicate Auto Industries, along with unidentified persons.

According to local sources, landowner Shahzada Fuzul Akbar Khan has had a long-running dispute with Md. Nasir Uddin, owner of the tenant firm M/s NI Syndicate Auto Industries. Locals believe the attack stemmed from that dispute.

The factory manager and plaintiff, Md. Sirajul Mostofa, said: "There has been a dispute between the landlord and the tenant, Md. Nasir Uddin, over six years of rent. The court has ordered all activities of NI Syndicate Auto Industries stopped and imposed an injunction on the factory. Taking advantage of the factory being closed on Friday, they carried out an organised attack, vandalism and looting and beat up the workers. When police were informed, they came to the spot, brought the situation under control and recovered some of the goods. We have filed a case with the police station."

Md. Tipu Sultan, the landowner’s security in-charge, said: "For six long years, Md. Nasir Uddin of M/s NI Syndicate Auto Industries has not paid any rent. A case over this is also pending in court. In the meantime, on Friday, in broad daylight, he came with people and attacked, vandalised and looted the landlord’s factory. The workers were also beaten. The authorities have filed a case over the incident."

Asked about the allegations, Nur Mohammad alias Suman (47), administrative manager of M/s NI Syndicate Auto Industries, said: "Everything is written in the copy of the case. Read it from there."

Md. Nur Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Karnaphuli police station, said: "The incident happened because of the conflict between the landowner and the tenants. Both sides have filed cases with the police station and the court. Police will investigate and take necessary action."