Jamaat leader killed in stabbing over land dispute in Cox's Bazar; 5 detained

A leader of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was killed and another person injured in a stabbing incident over a land dispute in Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar today (20 May). 

Police have detained five individuals in connection with the attack, according to officials.

The incident occurred around 12:45pm in the Sikdar Para area of Ward No-6 under the Koyarbill union of Chakaria, said Md Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station.

The deceased, Ariful Islam (48), was the son of Altaf Ahmed Chowdhury and served as the Baytul Mal (finance) secretary for Jamaat-e-Islami's local unit in the same ward. 

The injured, Khairul Alam, is Ariful's cousin and the son of Jamal Hossain Chowdhury.

According to police, the prime accused in the incident, Sujan Mia (37), was detained along with his mother, sister, and two others. Police have not yet released the names of the other detainees.

Citing locals, OC Shafiqul said a longstanding land ownership dispute had been ongoing between the families of Ariful Islam and Sujan Mia. Several arbitration meetings had been held in the community, but both parties failed to reach an agreement, leading to recurring conflicts.

"On Tuesday afternoon, a heated argument erupted between the two sides, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. During the clash, members of the opposing group allegedly stabbed Ariful and his cousin.

"Locals rushed the injured to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Ariful dead. Khairul, whose condition was critical, was transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for further treatment," he added.

Ariful's body has been sent to Cox's Bazar District Hospital morgue for autopsy and further investigations are ongoing, the OC also said.