Ex-MP's house freed from occupation in Tangail

Published : Sunday, 9 March, 2025 at 8:25 PM Count : 144

Photo. Collected

The house of former MP and Tangail district Awami League general secretary Joaherul Islam Joaher has been freed from occupation.

Mariam Mukaddas Miste, a woman identifying herself as a representative of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), set up a shelter for mentally challenged individuals by occupying the house yesterday.

Around 11:15 pm the same day, the administration, with the help of joint forces, removed 17 mentally challenged individuals from the abandoned five-story residence, said Tangail Sadar Assistant Commissioner (Land) Ruhul Amin Sharif, who led the drive.

They have been taken back to their previous shelter, he added, while speaking to reporters today.

Sharif also said the house was not suitable for mentally challenged individuals, which is why they were relocated.

The next course of action regarding their care will be determined after discussions with the Social Services Department, he said.

"Police are also investigating the motive of Mariam Mukaddas Miste, who brought them to the house," he added.

Tangail Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tanvir Ahmed confirmed this morning that Miste was released last night after signing a bond.

The OC said Miste pledged not to engage in any illegal activities, including making social media posts that incite unrest or occupying and vandalising private or government property in the future.

Legal action will be taken against her under prevailing laws if she violates the bond, he added.

According to locals, Mariam Mukaddas Miste, founder and chairman of the non-profit Al Mukaddas Foundation, along with her associates, broke into the ex-MP's house in Akur Takur Para yesterday morning. They then brought in 20 mentally challenged individuals to reside there.

Miste currently resides in a rented house in Tangail's Housing area. A year ago, she established a shelter for mentally ill individuals in a rented space in Tangail Sadar upazila's Santosh.

They further stated that the former MP and his family have been in hiding since the AL government fell on August 5 last year, leaving the house abandoned.

Meanwhile, Sher Shah, member secretary of SAD's Tangail district unit, told that they have no affiliation with Miste.

While she participated in student protests, she holds no position in SAD, he said.

FP/MI