Vandalism, looting and attempted arson at Abdur Rahim's house in Sunamganj

There have been attempts to vandalize, loot, and set fire to Abdur Rahim's house in Sunamganj.

Eyewitnesses said that this incident took place at around 8 pm on Thursday, August 8, 2024, in Kabilakhai village of South Sunamganj Upazila of Sunamganj district.

On the spot, it was seen that the entire city was in a state of shock due to attacks, vandalism and arson in four places within a radius of about 500 yards.

At that time, there was no electricity in various areas across the district city for an hour.

Many people were seen attacking the vandalized house of Abdur Rahim and taking away some belongings. However, no police activity was observed.

Recorded by its own representative on 08/08/2024

Eyewitness Tofail Chowdhury and others said that on Thursday afternoon, several hundred angry students and the public attacked the mural. Taking advantage of this, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists vandalized Abdur Rahim's house and tried to set it on fire, and finally looted it.

It is known that this incident centered on Abdur Rahim's only son, Saimon Hussain. Saimon Hussain is currently in the UK. He was attacked on 23/01/2023 due to family and political problems while in the country. After that, he ran away, got married and settled in the UK. Saimon Hussain's wife Sumaya Akter was a resident of Haripur village, Chhatak upazila, Sunamganj district. Sumaya Akter's brother Shaykul Islam is the joint convener of Sunamganj district Chhatra Dal. When Shaykul Islam came to know that his sister Sumaya Akter and Saimon Hussain love each other, trouble broke out. In anger, he ambushed Saimon Hussain with some leaders and activists. A few months later, Saimon Hussain fled to the UK with Sumaya Akter. After the Awami League government fell in the face of a mass uprising by students and the public on August 5, Shaykul, in his anger and taking advantage of a good opportunity, tried to attack, loot and set Saimon Hussain's house on fire in revenge.

In addition, murals of Sheikh Mujib and four former presidents were vandalized at the Cinema Hall intersection of Bajitpur Municipality Sadar Bazar and Pakundia Municipality Sadar Bazar.

Earlier on Wednesday night, agitating students and the public set fire to the Awami League party office on Station Road in the district town and declared it a public toilet. They also broke the gate lock of the Liberation War Office in the Kharampatti area of ​​the city and vandalized the mural of Sheikh Mujib.

However, the places where the attacks and vandalism took place on Wednesday and Thursday nights were also attacked and vandalized after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Md. Khaled Chowdhury, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sunamganj Sadar Model Police Station, said at around 10:45 pm that they have come to know about the attacks and vandalism at several places, including Abdur Rahim's house. An inquiry is being conducted in this regard.