In a shocking turn of events, a shop owner named Md. Jahangir Hossain (57) was allegedly beaten to death inside a building that had been converted into a local BNP office in Salmodi Bazar, Araihaazar Upazila, Narayanganj. The incident occurred around 11:30 AM on Wednesday.
According to OC Khandaker Nasir Uddin of Araihaazar Police Station, the altercation stemmed from a long-standing dispute over shop rent. Jahangir owned part of a three-unit shop structure that was reportedly turned into a BNP party office without his consent. Despite repeated appeals, the party activists allegedly refused to pay rent for Jahangir’s portion of the property.
Jahangir’s son, Md. Russel, told The Daily Star:
“After the fall of the Awami League government last August, three adjoining shops — one belonging to my father and two to my uncles — were merged into a BNP party office. While my uncles received rent, my father never did. When he went today to ask for it again, they dragged him inside and assaulted him.”
The office was reportedly set up by Tota Mia Pradhan, a former president of the Mahmudpur Union BNP and currently the elected member of Ward-7 of the Union Parishad.
“He Was Beaten Inside the Party Office Just for Asking Rent”
OC Nasir Uddin confirmed that Jahangir was physically assaulted inside the BNP office and was declared dead after being taken to the Araihaazar Upazila Health Complex.
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Dr. Ashraful Amin, the attending physician, said:
“He was already dead when brought in. There was a deep head injury.”
Police have since identified Tota Mia Pradhan, his son, nephew, and close political followers as key suspects. A full investigation is underway.
Opposing Claim: “He Collapsed During a Scuffle, Wasn’t Beaten to Death”
Khokon Pradhan, son of Tota Mia, offered a different version of the events. Speaking to The Daily Star, he said:
“Jahangir tore down our party banner. During the argument, my father slapped him once, and Jahangir hit him back. Then a scuffle broke out. He fell ill during the scuffle and later died. We didn’t beat him up.”
He also claimed they had agreed to vacate the disputed shop space and accused Jahangir of overreacting.
A Shadow of Political Rivalry
In a twist, Jahangir Hossain was found to be listed as Joint General Secretary of the local Jatiyatabadi Matsyajibi Dal, BNP’s fisheries wing, according to Md. Nazrul Islam, president of the union branch. A list from March 4 shows Jahangir’s name at position 13.
However, his son Russel rejected this claim:
“I never knew my father held any political position. He ran a grocery shop where the BNP office now stands. If anyone called him, he’d go, but he wasn’t involved in politics.”
BNP’s Internal Factions Add Fuel to the Fire
Local leaders disclosed that Araihaazar BNP is deeply divided into at least four factions. The controversial office belongs to the faction led by Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, with Tota Mia being one of his close associates.
Masum Shikari, president of Mahmudpur Union BNP, clarified:
“Our official union BNP office is near the market entrance. Tota Mia opened a separate one near his home. Only his group operated from there.”
Yusuf Ali Bhuiyan, president of Araihaazar Upazila BNP, personally visited Jahangir’s family and denounced the killing:
“This is disgraceful. Even if the office was run under BNP’s name, they had no right to occupy someone’s property without paying rent. The man was killed because of this injustice.”
He added:
“Tota Mia and his family do not hold any current position in the BNP. He is a former leader. We demand a proper investigation, and whoever is responsible must be brought to justice.”
This horrifying incident shines a spotlight on the toxic intersection of politics, power, and property disputes in local Bangladeshi communities. Whether or not the death was intentional, the fact remains: a man lost his life inside a political office over rent.
The death of Jahangir Hossain is not just a personal tragedy for his family, but a wake-up call about political abuse and impunity at the grassroots level. No political party local or national should be allowed to exploit power without accountability.
Justice must be served transparently, impartially, and swiftly.
Source: The Daily star
