The Village Devastated by Flames

Surrounded by water bodies on three sides and a paved road on the fourth, the village consists of small houses lined along the road. The walls are made of bricks, with tin roofs. The walls still stand, but most of the tin roofs have fallen off in a twisted heap due to the fire. In some houses, the tin sheets melted and stuck to the walls. Inside, everything has turned to thick ash. Remnants of charred belongings lie scattered on the floor covered in ash. The walls have turned black from the flames. Even at that time, the fire hadn’t fully died out. The smell of burning still emanated from inside the houses.

Horrific Attack Following a Murder

The burned houses are located in Dhor Moshiahat village of Abhaynagar upazila in Jashore. Following a murder, on the night of May 22, a group of people attacked and set fire to at least 20 houses belonging to Hindu residents. That same night, two shops belonging to Hindus in Sundoli market were also set on fire, and four shops were vandalized. Before the arson and vandalism, looting was carried out at the homes and shops. At least 10 people were beaten and injured during the attack.

How the Violence Spread

On the evening of May 22, Tarikul Islam (50), a leader of the Krishak Dal, was hacked and shot to death at the home of Piltu Biswas (40) in Dhor Moshiahat village. Tarikul was the son of Ibrahim Sardar from Dhopadi village and was the president of the Krishak Dal of Nowapara municipality. As the news of the murder spread, a group of people launched attacks, looting and vandalizing homes and shops, and eventually setting them on fire.

Heartbreaking Scenes of Burnt Homes

When visited on the morning of May 23, the houses stood like skeletal remains. The tin sheets were twisted and fallen. A strong smell of burning hit the nose upon entering the houses. Furniture, clothing, quilts, televisions, fridges — everything was reduced to ash. The floors were covered in layers of ash. Here and there, broken beds, cots, chairs, tables, wardrobes, and cupboards lay scattered. In front of the burned houses lay five charred motorcycles and a motorized van. Some trees next to the houses were also burnt. Three harmoniums and three drums used for religious ceremonies were destroyed. In many houses, fires were still burning, and the smell of burning continued to waft from every house.

Fear Among Women

There were no men in the houses after the attack; they had fled elsewhere. A few women remained, their faces filled with fear. They said that a three-day religious event of the Matua community was taking place at Sujit Biswas’s house. May 22 was the second day of the event, with about 600 people invited. Around 6:45 PM, news arrived that a murder had taken place nearby. By 8 PM, a group of four to five people arrived, followed by more than 150 attackers. People fled to save their lives. The attackers looted belongings and then set fire to the houses.

They smashed harmoniums, drums, and spoiled food. At least 10 people were beaten and injured. Sujit Biswas’s son, Sagar Biswas (25), was abducted. The attackers also looted and set fire to shops in Sundoli market. Around 10 PM, firefighters under army and police protection arrived to douse the flames.

Personal Testimony: The Tragic Story of Burned Homes

When visited again on May 27, a tin-roofed two-room brick house stood along a mud road across the fields. In the yard lay piles of burned quilts and mattresses. A strong burnt smell lingered on the porch. All stored paddy in one room was burned. In another room lay a charred television, a table fan, and a bed. The floors were covered in ash. Sitting on the porch was Tarulata Biswas (75).

She said that her family consisted of her son Dilip Biswas (46), and granddaughters Haimanti (13) and Debashree Biswas (11). Her son worked as a day laborer. On the night of the attack, the assailants looted 125,000 taka and then set everything on fire. Since then, her son and granddaughters have relocated. There is no way to stay in the house; she lives on the porch, frightened. Some days she had to go without food; she eats only when someone gives her rice.

More Accounts of Destruction

Next door, Pia Biswas (22) stood holding her five-year-old son, with her mother-in-law Chandrika Biswas (70) by her side.

Chandrika said that her son Basudev Biswas (30) is a van driver. They had 150,000 taka and three tolas of gold jewelry at home. The attackers looted the valuables and set fire to the house. They escaped by fleeing into the nearby fields. All the furniture, television, 15 chickens, 150 kg of rice, electric motor, sewing machine, land deeds, and ID cards were burned to ashes. Although they returned the next day, they still cannot stay at home at night. They survive on whatever food they can find.

The Same Tragedy in Every House

Tulsi Biswas (75) said that he lived with his two sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. The attackers looted 250,000 taka, three tolas of gold, and a motorcycle from their house. The fire burned 30 paddy, four rice maunds, and two televisions. His sons Bishnupod Biswas (48) and Pradip Biswas (47) are too scared to return home. They stay during the day but spend the nights elsewhere.

Smriti Biswas (45) said that during the religious event, the attackers looted five tolas of gold and 30,000 taka and beat her. Her husband, Mohitosh Biswas (50), has not returned home since the incident. Fear increases after nightfall.

More Affected Families

Sushanta Biswas (56) and his wife Kalpana Biswas (45) said that 125,000 taka was looted from their home. Fifteen maunds of paddy and three and a half kahans of straw were burned. They, too, have to stay elsewhere at night.

Housewife Panna Biswas (35) said that their home contained a TV, fridge, gold jewelry, passports, prescriptions, and 150,000 taka. Now, only six people from the family remain alive.

The homes of Paban Biswas (55), Amar Biswas (50), Pratap Biswas (45), Sukriti Biswas, Bikash Biswas (56), and Pranab Biswas (35) were also burned. Paban, Amar, and Pratap have not returned since the incident. Bikash and Pranab stay during the day but leave at night.

The Root Cause of the Conflict

Locals said that Tarikul Islam had a fish enclosure in Bil Bokra of Sundoli Union. After his lease expired, he wanted to renew it, but another person was also interested. This dispute led to Tarikul being lured to Piltu Biswas’s house on the evening of May 22, where he was hacked and shot to death.