Once known as a land of wisdom, saints, poets, literati, and revolutionaries, Chattogram's Raozan is now infamous for political violence. A region once inhabited by peace-loving people, where political coexistence was commendable, has been transformed over time into a hotbed of bloody politics.
The history of political violence is traced back to 1986, following the murder of Chhatra League leader Foyezul Alam Khan Faruq in the Gahira Mobarakkhil area as he was returning home after his degree exams at Rauzan College. Since then, a series of killings have altered the social fabric of Rauzan.
Activists and leaders from all major parties—Chhatra League, Jubo League, BNP, and NDP—have, at some point, fallen victim to political vendettas. Some have lost brothers, others sons, and many their husbands. Hundreds of families continue to bear the pain of losing their loved ones.
These murders, often committed in broad daylight, include Chhatra League leader Mujibur Rahman Pearu, Jubo League leader Jahangir Alam Member, Awami League leader Idris Master, NDP leader Ezahar Baidya, and countless other political workers. Almost every union—Dabua, Binajuri, Noazishpur, Pahartoli, Paschim Gujra, Purba Gujra, Bagoan—has witnessed multiple political killings.
Driven by conflicts over political dominance, nearly every village in Rauzan has grieving families. The area is scorched by the fire of revenge.
Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, at least 16 people have been killed in Rauzan during the 14-month tenure of the interim government. Eleven of these incidents were centered around political violence and establishing dominance.
A Timeline of Recent Atrocities
2024: August 28: Abdul Mannan (28), President of Betbunia Union Juba League, was abducted and later killed.
September 1: The body of Yusuf Miah (65) was recovered from the garden house of former MP Fazle Karim Chowdhury.
November 11: The brutally disfigured body of Hafez Abu Taher (48), who went missing from the Chikdair area, was recovered from the Sarta canal.
October 29: Four days after going missing, the partially decomposed body of Azam Khan was found in the Moishkorma area of Urkirchar Union.
2025: January 24: Businessman Md. Jahangir Alam was shot dead in public in Noapara.
February 19: Jubo League leader Muhammad Hasan (35) was beaten to death in Noapara.
March 15: Komar Uddin Jitu (36) died in a clash between internal factions of BNP in Holdia.
March 21: Md. Rubel (35) was killed by a mob on suspicion of cattle theft in Purba Gujra.
April 1: Nur Alam Bakul (43) was murdered by his mother, brother, and sister in a family dispute in Holdia.
April 22: Ibrahim (28) was shot dead in Gazipara, Rauzan Union.
April 17: The body of Jafar was recovered from the Mahamuni pond in Pahartoli.
April 19: Manik Abdullah (45) was shot dead while eating at Bagoan Bhandari Colony.
July 3: Md. Almagir was killed in an attack by adolescents in Urkirchar.
July 6: Muhammad Selim (40) was shot dead in Kadalpur.
July 10: The mysterious body of Didarul Alam (40) was recovered from Betbunia.
June 25: The body of Rupon Nath was found buried in sand at Bagoan Jugipara Ghat.
October 7: BNP leader and businessman Abdul Hakim was shot dead in Madunaghat Bridge area, Hathazari.
While cases have been filed for every killing, locals allege that most investigations have seen no progress.
Clashes between two factions of BNP in Rauzan have left at least three hundred people injured. This culture of political vendetta has left ordinary citizens traumatized and terrified. Many families remain displaced, living in constant insecurity.
Victims' families allege that despite promises of peace from the administration and political leaders after each incident, no justice has been served for any of the murders. This impunity allows perpetrators to remain beyond reach, encouraging further bloodshed.
Elders in Rauzan express their anguish, saying, "The Rauzan that was once a center of knowledge, culture, and human values is now held captive by the politics of blood and revenge."
Monirul Islam Bhuiya, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rauzan Police Station, said, "Police are maintaining maximum vigilance to uphold law and order in Rauzan. Investigations into each incident are ongoing. No one is above the law."
For the bereaved families, one question remains painfully unanswered: "When will Rauzan be freed from the curse of political violence?"
