Attack on New Gini Properties linked to land dispute: Zulkarnain Saer

Journalist Zulkarnain Saer has claimed that the attack on New Gini Properties in the capital’s ECB Chattar was linked to a longstanding dispute over land, plots and road use.

In a Facebook post early Monday, he said a group of around 150–200 people launched an armed attack on the property on Saturday night, vandalising a studio, several vehicles and other structures.

According to Saer's post, the incident was not specifically targeted at any particular business or individual. Rather, it stemmed from a longstanding dispute between New Gini Properties owner Nazim Uddin Bhuiyan Arzu and Major General (retd) Golam Mohammad Mohiuddin over a 35-katha plot and use of a road.

He said, “The group arrived in four trucks to take control of the disputed land. Some of those involved were armed and several rounds of gunfire were reportedly fired during the incident.”

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Saer also claimed that a person linked to the Shahadat Group in Mirpur had threatened Nazim over road use a few days before the attack. He further alleged that a person identified as Sohel, described as a shooter for the group, had subsequently threatened Nazim on behalf of Mohiuddin and Matiur Rahman, owner of Chhayaneer Apartment.

The journalist said the attackers allegedly became more aggressive after learning that the owner of the damaged studio was related by marriage to a relative of top criminal Sweden Aslam.

Saer also made allegations against both Nazim and Mohiuddin over land dealings and illegal occupation of land, saying his claims were based on a review of various documents.

The post alleged that Nazim Uddin, who was a Member (Rukon) of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Cantonment unit in 2010, had previously been involved in the Thai glass and scrap businesses. During that period, he developed close ties with Haji Abbas, a locally influential figure and former organisational secretary of the Awami League’s Cantonment unit.

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It further alleged that Nazim used his ties with Abbas to occupy land in different areas and faced several cases over allegations of illegally occupying land using the influence of the Awami League. In 2021, Nazim allegedly secured the information and research affairs post in the Gulshan Azad unit of the Awami League.

Regarding Mohiuddin, Saer alleged that he was involved in land-related business with former Jubo League leader Mainul Khan Nikhil during the Awami League's rule and had also faced allegations of using influence to occupy land.

He further claimed that during the interim government, Mohiuddin used the influence of then Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury to file several complaints against Nazim, escalating the dispute between the two sides.

Saer said the repeated disputes between the two sides had created a tense situation in the area in the past as well.