Attack on residential project, land dispute emerges over Muqtadir’s studio

A residential project in South Manikdi of Dhaka, came under attack early Saturday, with several structures vandalised and allegations of extortion and a land dispute emerging in the aftermath.

Content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio, located inside the New Guinea Properties residential project, was among the worst-affected areas. Cameras, lenses, lights and other content-production equipment were allegedly looted, while workers and security guards were reportedly assaulted.

The attack took place late on Saturday (September 26). When the area was inspected on Sunday, signs of extensive vandalism could be seen from the main entrance of the project to several structures inside. The studio’s doors and windows were damaged, CCTV cables were cut and equipment and furniture were scattered across the floor. Shell casings were also reportedly found at the scene.

The project owners alleged that the attack was carried out as part of an attempt to extort money and take control of land. Police, however, have so far indicated that a dispute over land possession may be behind the incident and said the matter is under investigation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Md Mahidul Islam visited the scene on Sunday afternoon. He told reporters that the incident appeared, at least initially, to be linked to a dispute over land or possession of land. He said the details would become clear after the investigation.

Nazmul Haque, assistant commissioner of the Cantonment Zone, said a dispute between two parties over land may have led to the incident, with Salman Muqtadir’s studio becoming caught up in the conflict.

Police said three people had been detained in connection with the incident and that locally made weapons were recovered from them.

Local residents said several groups of people were seen heading towards the project after around 10:30 PM. Some of them were wearing masks. Later, sounds of an attack and vandalism were heard from inside the project.

Nayan, a worker at the project, said a group of armed men entered the premises at night and assaulted several workers. According to him, the attackers were carrying pistols, machetes, cleavers and sticks, and several gunshots were heard.

He also alleged that the attackers entered the workers’ accommodation and took money and mobile phones. Nayan claimed that the savings of around 50 workers and 16 mobile phones were taken.

Security guard Abdur Razzak said five security guards were assigned to the project’s five gates at night. Several guards were allegedly beaten during the attack and were later taken to hospital for treatment.

Salman Muqtadir’s studio suffered particularly extensive damage. Ila, a representative of the studio, said two employees were inside when the attack began. At first, they assumed the noise was coming from nearby construction work. When they realised that people were attacking the premises, they took shelter in a bathroom.

According to Ila, the attackers took one camera, three lenses, four lights, four softboxes and CCTV equipment from the studio. Almost the entire studio was also vandalised.

The studio management said it was not aware of any extortion demand or personal dispute involving them. They believe the studio was caught up in the wider incident because it is located inside the residential project.

Pallab, who is involved in the project’s management, said the attackers arrived in several pickup trucks. They allegedly took whatever they could carry and damaged items they could not take. Employees were also reportedly assaulted and had their phones, cash and other belongings taken.

Project manager Jamal Uddin said he was not at the site when the attack took place. He said the project has 12 buildings, five of which belong to New Guinea Properties. His personal belongings were also damaged during the attack, he claimed.

Project owner Md Nazim Uddin Bhuiyan, however, directly alleged that the attack was connected to extortion demands and an attempt to seize land. He claimed that over the past month, different amounts of money-including Tk 1 crore, Tk 50 lakh and Tk 2 crore-had been demanded from him. He said he refused to pay.

Regarding the land dispute, Nazim alleged that he had purchased and registered 10 kathas of land from a former senior government official. He claimed that another adjoining piece of land had been developed using his money but was not subsequently registered in his name.

According to him, the dispute over that land was behind the attack.

The allegations could not be independently verified immediately.

The incident has also raised questions about security at the residential project. Several people associated with the project said the attackers appeared to have arrived in multiple groups and several pickup trucks, although accounts differed regarding their exact number.

Police said they are investigating the incident to determine whether the attack was primarily linked to a land dispute, extortion demands or another motive. The full circumstances are expected to become clearer as the investigation progresses.

-MT