Staff Reporter: A complaint has been made alleging that the entrance to the ancestral home of US-based journalist and columnist Abul Kalam Azad, located in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola, has been unlawfully occupied and that he has received death threats if he returns to the country.

According to information provided by the victim’s family, only his paternal cousin Shafizul currently resides in the house, located in Ward No. 2 of South Joynagar Union in Daulatkhan upazila. Abul Kalam Azad is currently residing in the United States.

Local residents reported that on September 11, two brothers — Abu Sayem (45) and Nizam Uddin (48), sons of Mostafiz from the Hashem Pandit household of the same area — occupied the house’s entrance and planted betel nut saplings in the middle of the road.

Eyewitness and local resident Abdul Jalil (58) alleged that Abul Kalam Azad had previously published news reports exposing various misdeeds of the two brothers. In retaliation, they have seized the entrance to his house and issued death threats against him.

Billal Hossain (35), a local BNP and Jubo Dal leader, stated that Nizam Uddin and Abu Sayem were previously involved in Awami League politics and used their influence to instill fear in the area. They are now allegedly involved in extortion, illegal land grabs, and drug trafficking under the patronage of BNP.

Several local residents claimed that the two brothers have long been involved in criminal activities, arbitration manipulation, extortion, and drug dealing with political backing. Ordinary people who speak out against them are subjected to abuse.

When contacted, journalist Abul Kalam Azad stated via WhatsApp, “Nizam Uddin and Sayem have been involved in various misdeeds since the time of the fallen Awami League government. Since I wrote about their activities, they’ve been conspiring against me. After learning about the occupation of my house’s entrance, I called them, and they hurled vulgar abuse and threatened to kill me if I returned to Bangladesh.”

He further mentioned that he has informed Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zillur Rahman of Daulatkhan Police Station about the incident. However, since he is currently abroad, no formal complaint has been filed. Azad claimed that the attackers, unable to target him directly, are now threatening his cousin who lives at the property, leaving the family in a state of insecurity.