What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
The family of Anil Baral from Sriramkathi Union under Pirojpur District of Bangladesh has been facing a sustained campaign of intimidation, property encroachment and violence. According to the family, staying in their home has become a source of daily fear.
According to the victim’s family, trees on Anil Baral’s property were forcibly cut down and removed by individuals allegedly exploiting political influence. Police had visited the scene after receiving a complaint, prompting the accused individuals to leave. Yet the family claims that once the police departed, the perpetrators returned and resumed issuing threats.
The intimidation has reportedly escalated to the point where Anil Baral has been forced to remain in hiding for several days, fearing for his life.
The family further alleges that when his son attempted to return home ahead of an examination scheduled for the following day, he was chased by individuals intending to assault him. He had to flee to protect himself.
The family alleges that threats have been delivered under the shadow of competing political affiliations, with references to both Jamaat and BNP being used to instil fear. The reported consequences extend beyond physical safety. Anil Baral’s family has been scattered, unable to live together securely. Anil wife Tulika Rani Baral has broke down in tears in front of journalists from Hindus News, reflecting the distress of a family that says it has been deprived of security in its own home.
A police visit cannot be the endpoint of protection. If threats continue after officers leave, authorities must establish whether the initial intervention was sufficient and whether those responsible are being held accountable.
The family is calling for immediate administrative intervention, a transparent investigation and legal action against anyone found responsible. Most importantly, it is seeking effective protection and not merely the acceptance of another complaint.
The authorities must ensure that Anil Baral and his family can return home without fear. No family should have to choose between abandoning its home and risking its safety. The credibility of the rule of law is tested not when citizens are powerful, but when vulnerable families seek protection and expect the state to stand between them and intimidation.
