Dinajpur — August 7, 2024:

Homes in the “Manabpalli” hijra rehabilitation settlement in Dinajpur’s Bangibecha Ghat area were vandalized and looted after reports of the government’s collapse spread on August 5, residents said. Looters carried off tin roofing, furniture, televisions, refrigerators, and kitchenware; pillars were broken and iron rods and floor bricks were hauled away. Displaced families have taken shelter in open fields and under trees.

Established in 2011 on roughly five acres by the Punarbhaba River, Manabpalli was built to house 125 families—80 of them hijra, with the remainder distressed households—making it a flagship local model of mixed-community rehabilitation.

Residents reported that the first wave of attacks and looting began the night of August 5, followed by systematic stripping of bricks and rods in the days after—often in front of those still on site. Removal of tube wells has left the community without safe drinking water.

“Before evening, around 200 people came and started vandalizing,” said resident Noor Banu, adding that tube wells were removed. Another resident, Sadiqur Rahman, said families “have no homes” and belongings were taken amid panic.

As of Wednesday afternoon, residents remained outdoors with few supplies while attackers continued to dismantle structures. Community members appealed for urgent protection and immediate restoration of housing and water access.

Source:

• “সরকার পতনের খবরে দিনাজপুরে হিজড়াপল্লিতে হামলা, নিয়ে গেছে ইট-রডসহ সব” — Prothom Alo (August 7, 2024). Prothomalo