Garo family harassed, home allegedly destroyed in Tangail's Madhupur

A Garo family's home was allegedly demolished amid threats with a shotgun, while a woman from the family was reportedly harassed by members of the rubber garden's Ansar force in Tangail's Madhupur, in the Chandpur Rubber Garden area.

Following the alleged eviction, the Madhupur upazila nirbahi officer and the officer-in-charge of Madhupur Police Station visited the site yesterday (10 March) and reportedly assured action in the presence of local indigenous leaders.

It is alleged that Shibli Mangsang, a landless Garo woman, has been living with her 11 children in a broken house in Kalapahar, Chandpur Rubber Garden, and has recently built a small two-roofed shed.

Upon receiving the news, Forest Industries Development Corporation Field Officer Bijon Kumar allegedly arrived at the house on Monday (9 March) with 20–25 staff members along with armed Ansar personnel, who are reported to have demolished the roof and pillars of the shed, abused and threatened the family members, and cut down all fruit-bearing trees on the property.

A video shows Ansar members pulling at Shibli Mangsang's clothes and aiming a shotgun at her, ultimately pushing her and a child to the ground after being signalled to hold fire.

Photo: Screengrab

Shibli's husband, Rumen Khubi, said many lands of Chandpur Rubber Garden have been illegally occupied by influential people who planted pineapples and bananas and built houses.

The garden authorities did not evict them, but his helpless family was forced out of their home amid threats and property damage, he said, demanding justice.

Members of the Ansar camp said that some mistakes occurred in a moment of tension, and the shotgun was aimed only to create fear.

Chandpur Rubber Garden manager Aman Ullah Aman said they only prevented the construction of a new house on garden land and did not attempt to evict the family.

Locals said evicting a poor Garo family, while failing to recover land from influential occupants, has sparked fresh anger and could escalate tensions in Madhupur.

Victim Rumen Khubi said they did not receive any written notice from the forest department to vacate the homestead.

Ismail Hossain, GM of Forest Industries Development Corporation, Madhupur zone, called the incident unfortunate and inappropriate, confirming action against the Ansar members and support for the family to remain in their home.

Madhupur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mirza Jubayer Hossain said the family is being rehabilitated. Two bundles of tin, Tk6,000, and all expenses for wooden pillars have been promised to rebuild the damaged house.

Leaders of the Joyenshahi Indigenous Development Council and journalists were present during the peaceful resolution.