Former Freedom Party leader and renowned journalist Mr Chowdhury Mohammad Farouque’s Dhaka based apartment in Eskaton was raided by Awami League terrorists, who demolished nearly BDT 1 lac worth of property inside. Our correspondent has informed us that none of Mr Farouque’s family members were present during the incident.
Our source further informed us that the incident occurred on the evening of this past Wednesday, 10th June, when a gang of 10-12 thugs led by local terrorist Masud raided the house in Eskaton. Upon entry, the hooligans began smashing down the doors and windows of the house whilst simultaneously shouting out the names of Mr Chowdhury Mohammad Farouque’s family members. It is worth pointing out that Mr Chowdhury Mohammad Farouque had been living in the UK ever since the current regime came into power. On the 1st of November 2014 this eminent journalist and politician tragically passed away at the age of 63, in his apartment in London.
We spoke to the caretaker of the apartment complex, Mr Delowar Hossain, who informed us that, “A few well-known local terrorists tried to gain access to the apartment by force which he tried to stop them from doing. At this point a couple of men slapped him and told me to shut up, whilst fishing out a revolver to scare him. Out of fear for his life, he chose to keep quiet at the time while 8-9 other terrorists entered the building. The terrorists further interrogated him demanding he tells them which apartment belongs to Chowdhury Farouque, and where do his family members live and when do they come here. Delowar replied that his apartment has been locked up for a while now.”
The terrorists spent nearly 40 minutes there. Later on The Flat-Owners Society’s general secretary Mr Jalal Uddin telephoned the Romna Police Station. But the on duty officer who answered his call, Mr Shibli Noman, informed him that it will not be possible to press formal charges against the perpetrators, unless those who own the house lodge any complaints. It is a political dilemma, and there is nothing that the police station can do.
Many inhabitants inside the Eskaton apartment complex have expressed their distaste at the whole incident. One of the inhabitants who wished to remain anonymous, said that, “It is unthinkable to see such atrocities pan out in a civilized country like this. A gentleman’s home was held at gunpoint and completely destroyed. It was his apartment today, what guarantee is there that it won’t be mine tomorrow?” At this point she expressed her gross disappointment over the whole political system of Bangladesh.
The neighbouring inhabitants also reported that Mr Chowdhury Mohammad Farouque’s family members have been in hiding for a long time.