Journalist stabbed in attack on Lalon ashram, BNP leader held

An attack has been carried out on Lalon Sai's ashram 'Paddohem Dham' located in Dosharpara village of Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj.

The ashram's president, journalist Kabir Hossain, was seriously injured in the attack. His brother Takbir Baul was also attacked at the time.

The incident occurred on the ashram premises around 1 pm on Tuesday (June 2). On receiving information, the police conducted a drive and arrested Jahangir Madbar on charges of leading the attack. He is said to be the president of the local ward number 7 BNP.

According to local sources, this ashram on the banks of the Ichamati River is locally known as 'Poddohem Dham' or 'Baul Bari'. Kabir Hossain established it about 21 years ago. Locals said that there had been a dispute over the land adjacent to the ashram and its occupation for a long time.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of people entered the ashram on Tuesday afternoon and attacked Kabir Hossain. He was hit by sharp weapons while his brother Takbir Baul was also injured during the attack. Later, local residents, Lalonbhaktas and followers of the ashram rescued the injured and took them to the Upazila Health Complex. When their condition deteriorated, they were sent to Dhaka.

While undergoing treatment at the hospital, Kabir Hossain complained that a group had been threatening to evict the ashram for the past few months. 'The attackers swooped on me and hit me on the head with sharp weapons.'

He also said that the ashram has been used as a center for cultural and spiritual activities for a long time. He also sought help from local public representatives regarding the ongoing dispute.

On the other hand, the family of accused Jahangir Madbar has made a different claim. His brother Mohsin Madabar alleged that some of the locals' land was occupied in the name of the ashram and obstacles were also created in the way of the villagers' movement. There had been a dispute over these issues for a long time. However, regarding the allegation of the attack due to the dispute, he countered that a clash had occurred between the two parties.

In this regard, Sirajdikhan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Abdul Hannan said that there was a dispute between the two parties over a land adjacent to the ashram. The attack took place on Tuesday over that dispute. Immediately after receiving the complaint, the police conducted a drive and arrested the main accused Jahangir Madabar.

He said that the injured were being treated and efforts were being made to identify and arrest others involved in the incident. The real reason for the attack and the dispute behind the incident are being investigated.

The incident has caused concern among the local cultural scene and Lalan devotees. Many have demanded a proper investigation into the attack and legal action against those responsible.