A Hindu family of Par-Khalkula village under Kaliganj upazila of the district has left home amid alleged death threat by a local ruling party man who had pressed them to sell land.

The family members -- Sukumar Biswas, his wife Renu Rani Biswas, daughter-in-law Ripa Rani Biswas and grandson Sanad Biswas left home on May 4 and took shelter at a relative's house in Jhenidah town.

“On May 12, they came back as Awami League (AL) lawmaker from Jhenidah-4 Anwarul Azim Anar and Kaliganj Police Station OC Mizanur Rahman accompanied them and assured security. But they again left the house the next day,” Halima Khatun, a neighbour, told this correspondent during his visit to the house on May 14.

Locals said Sukumar along with his family members had left home as Shahid Shikdar, a local AL activist, backed by Modasser Hossain, AL-supported chairman of 2 No Jamal union parishad (UP), had put pressure on Sukumar to write his eight bighas of land after his name for a small price and gave death threat in case of non-compliance.

This correspondent could not contact or meet Shahid Shikdar as he has also gone into hiding along with his family.

Sukumar's son-in-law Alok Kumar Biswas said his father-in-law along with family members came to his house at Bazarpara in Jhenidah town on May 4.

“They returned home on May 12 as political leaders assured them. But they again left home as they felt insecure. They are now staying at my house,” Alok said.

When asked about his leaving home, Sukumar gave a gloomy look and said they have told everything to police.

Earlier at a press conference at Kaliganj Press Club on May 9, members of Bangladesh Puja Ujjapan Committee and Bangladesh Hindu, Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad's Kaliganj unit alleged that Sukumar's family left home amid pressure and threat by some ruling party men to sell his eight bighas of land for a certain price.

Contacted, UP Chairman Modasser Hossain said, “Sukumar has left home without any reason. He will sell all his belongings and leave the village. Nobody is forcing him.”

Kaliganj Police Station OC Mizanur Rahman said, “Sukumar left home on May 4.  After eight days we got their trace and shifted the family to their home at Parkhalkula village. At the time the local MP and the UP chairman were present. But he has left home again for treatment.”