A businessman was shot and hacked with sharp weapons by miscreants in Munshiganj’s Gazaria upazila on Friday afternoon, leaving him critically injured.
The victim was identified as Haji Abdul Kaiyum Dewan, 38, a businessman from Guagachhia Union.
The attack took place around 4:30 pm in front of the Guagachhia Central Mosque. Locals rescued Kaiyum in a bullet-hit condition and first took him to Bhoberchar Health Complex. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 6:00 pm.
He is currently undergoing treatment at the One Stop Emergency Centre of DMCH’s emergency department. Doctors said his condition remains extremely critical.
Kaiyum’s younger brother, Md Main Uddin Dewan, said his brother is a well-known businessman and industrialist who has long been involved in the garments sector and various social activities in the area.
He alleged that the attack was linked to the establishment of a police outpost in Guagachhia. According to him, when the administration sought a rented building for the outpost, no one initially agreed. Later, Kaiyum and his family consented on humanitarian grounds to rent out a building for the police.
Following the establishment of the outpost, illegal sand extraction, extortion and drug trading in the area reportedly declined, angering local criminal groups, whom the family claims are backed by Awami League-linked elements. Main Uddin said the groups had repeatedly threatened Kaiyum over renting the house for the police outpost, and clashes and gunfights between police and criminals had occurred earlier.
He further said that on September 8, the current interim government’s Home Affairs Adviser visited the area following such incidents and ordered a proper investigation. Although the situation remained calm for some time, threats against Kaiyum later resumed, both openly and secretly.
According to the family, on Friday afternoon Kaiyum went to attend a social programme. After offering Asr prayers, he was attacked while leaving the mosque by a group of 20–25 armed men, allegedly led by local figures identified as Piyas, Shahadat, Nayan, Riyaz, Nirob and Akash. The attackers reportedly used firearms and sharp weapons, severing tendons in his hands and legs and shooting him four times in the legs.
The family alleged that the attackers have long been involved in illegal sand mining, extortion, drug trading and land grabbing, and that many of them have criminal cases filed against them, including murder charges, during the previous Awami League government.
They also claimed that looted weapons from police stations during the anti-discrimination student movement have been used by the group. While RAB has recovered some weapons and arrested several suspects, many remain at large, creating fear among local residents.
Police said they are investigating the incident and conducting operations to arrest those involved.