40-Year-Old Access Road Allegedly Blocked Overnight in Chitalmari

Printed On: Sep 28, 2026 || Published On: Sep 28, 2026

40-Year-Old Access Road Allegedly Blocked Overnight in Chitalmari

Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent:

CHITALMARI, BAGERHAT — A family in Chitalmari of Bagerhat has alleged that their only access route to the main road, which they say has been used for nearly four decades, was blocked overnight with corrugated metal sheets and fencing amid a dispute over land possession.

The incident reportedly took place in Paranpur East Para of Barabaria Union in Chitalmari Upazila early on September 12, 2026. The family also alleged that several people attacked them when they protested against the attempt to block the passage.

According to the complainants, Obaidur Mridha, Bakkar Mridha, Habib Mridha, Zubayer Mridha and Ebadul Mridha, along with several others, arrived near their residence at around 3:30am and allegedly began fencing off the area in front of their house.

The family claimed that a large number of people were present at the scene. Hearing noises outside, family members woke up and found the group installing fencing and attempting to close the route they have allegedly been using for around 40 years.

Man Injured in Alleged Attack

Azgar Ali Mridha, a member of the affected family, alleged that Zubayer Mridha attacked him with a locally known sharp weapon called a “Beka Da” when he protested against the fencing.

He sustained cuts to the palm of his left hand and below the wrist of his right hand. According to his family, one of the injuries required five stitches. He was subsequently taken to Chitalmari Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Woman Alleges Assault and Harassment

Sufia Begum, wife of Nurul Islam Mridha, also alleged that she was assaulted during the incident.

She claimed that she was beaten with a steel rod and that her clothes were pulled during the altercation, causing her humiliation and harassment. She further alleged that she was threatened with death if she filed a complaint or legal case over the incident.

The allegations could not independently be verified.

Family Claims Four Decades of Possession

The affected family claims that they have been living on and using the disputed property for nearly 40 years. They said the route in question has long been their only practical means of getting from their home to the main road.

They alleged that the sudden closure of the route has left women, children and elderly members of the family facing serious difficulties in moving in and out of the house.

The family said they do not want confrontation and instead want the land ownership, possession and status of the access route to be determined through a lawful process.

Complaint Filed Before Incident

The family said Sufia Begum, accompanied by her husband Nurul Islam, submitted a written complaint to Chitalmari Police Station on September 10, two days before the alleged attack.

They questioned whether adequate preventive measures were taken after the complaint was received and called for an investigation into the sequence of events.

Local Mediation Attempt

Following the incident, several local residents reportedly attempted to mediate the dispute.

Aminur Rahman, son of Odud Sheikh, and Maruf Shikdar, son of Mozafor Shikdar, reportedly visited the area and tried to create an opportunity for a temporary settlement. An attempt was also made to remove two sheets of corrugated metal to restore the family's passage, according to local sources.

The family alleged that former local Union Parishad member Mizan Sheikh later arrived at the scene and became agitated. Witnesses reportedly claimed that he verbally abused people present and attempted to physically confront them.

These allegations could not be independently verified, and Mizan Sheikh's response was not immediately available.

Calls for Impartial Investigation

The affected family has urged the administration and law enforcement agencies to conduct an impartial investigation into the dispute.

They called for verification of land documents, the history of possession and use, the status of the access route, the circumstances surrounding the fencing, the alleged assault and the previous complaint filed with the police.

“We do not want to occupy anyone else's land. We only want the passage from our home to remain open. We have been living here for nearly 40 years. We do not want conflict; we want justice,” a member of the family said.

Local residents have also expressed concern that continued tension over the land dispute could lead to further confrontation. They have called for prompt administrative intervention and a lawful resolution based on evidence and the statements of both sides.