Indigenous community alleges land grab bid after temple attack in Dinajpur
Police and local officials say additional forces have been deployed after the attack left several people injured
19 April 2026, 22:03 PM
At least six people were injured when a temple belonging to the local indigenous community was vandalised by a group, allegedly over a dispute involving khas (state-owned) land in Dinajpur’s Birganj upazila this afternoon.
The incident took place in Sanka Christianpara village around 1:00pm, said Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Birganj Police Station.
Quoting witnesses and locals, OC Saiful Islam told this correspondent that members of the Mormu and Soren indigenous communities had a long-standing dispute with Rejaul Islam, son of Abdul Kader from Ghoraband village, over 93 decimals of khas land.
According to the indigenous families, they have been living on the land for generations. A temple and a cemetery are also located on the land. Rejaul claims ownership of the land.
Around 1:00pm today, a group of 150-200 people, allegedly led by Rejaul and his uncle Azad, attacked the temple and cemetery to capture the land, the OC said quoting locals.
Armed with sticks, iron rods, and sharp weapons, they vandalised the temple and the idol inside and cut down 10-12 trees in the cemetery, the OC said.
The attackers also vandalised a house at the time.
When members of the indigenous community resisted, the attackers assaulted them, leaving several people injured.
On receiving information, police rushed to the spot, dispersed the attackers, and deployed additional forces to prevent further untoward incidents, added the police official.
The OC added that police have collected the vandalised idol and other materials as evidence.
Among the injured, Pius Mormu, 45, son of Mangal Jak Mormu, and Biswanath Soren, 27, son of Gonesh Soren, were admitted to Birganj Upazila Health Complex.
Pius Mormu told this correspondent that they have been living on the land for generations, but the attackers are attempting to capture it illegally, which led to today’s attack.
Anthony Mormu, head of the indigenous community in the village, said they have been using the land for over a century. Around 50 to 60 families live in Sanka Christianpara village, while more than 200 landless indigenous families in the surrounding area use the cemetery.
He said both Hindu and Christian members of the indigenous community live in the village.
Preparation is underway to file a case following the attack, he said.
Speaking to this correspondent, Rezaul claimed that he purchased 41 decimals of land from a person named Mansur Ali in 1999 and another 48 decimals from the same person in 2023. He said the remaining four decimals are part of a cemetery.
However, he denied carrying out any attack on the indigenous people.
Dr Fariha Tasnim, a medical officer at the health complex, said Biswanath Soren sustained an arrow injury to his chest.
After visiting the spot, Birganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Suma Khatun told The Daily Star that the administration is aware of the incident and has instructed the authorities concerned to take legal action. Additional forces have been deployed to maintain law and order.
Birganj AC (Land) Diponkar Barman also confirmed that the disputed land is khas land.
