Md. Mizanur Rahman, Chapainawabganj: In a shocking incident in Verindi, Chapainawabganj, agricultural land that has been in possession for nearly 55 years has been forcefully seized and cultivated with paddy in blatant violation of a court order. The original landowners are reportedly living in fear and anxiety as local influential land grabbers are using terror tactics to assert control over the land. Despite multiple complaints and cases filed with both the court and the police, the victims are yet to get any remedy.
According to sources, 1.33 acres of land in Verindi mouza under Sadar Union of Nachole upazila have been in the possession of Marufa Khatun, wife of deceased Amenur Rahman of Shibganj upazila, along with their sons Mehedi Hasan, Md. Nuruzzaman, and daughter Helena Khatun for the last 55 years. The land, inherited and purchased by their father, has been cultivated by local farmers on their behalf, with regular payment of land taxes and records maintained.
However, a locally influential group recently laid claim to the land and forcefully occupied it. They allegedly harvested the paddy that was already planted and even let cattle loose to destroy the crops.
The original owners allege that the land grabbers include Shamsuddin Ahmed alias Shamsul Alam, son of deceased Haji Jamal Uddin from Hatbakail area of Nachole upazila; Anarul Islam, Anwar Hossain, Md. Sohag, Safiul Alam (son of deceased Ibrahim), Humayun Kabir, Nefaur Rahman, Akhtar Hossain, and Mijibul Haque, Merajul Haque, Kayda Azam, and Md. Mamun, all sons of deceased Mofazzal Haque from the same village.
According to various documents, the actual landowners, and local sources, the land was purchased in 1969 by Aminur Rahman of Shibganj. Since then, it has been regularly cultivated without dispute. However, last year, the aforementioned individuals suddenly claimed the land and destroyed standing crops by force. When the matter was taken to court, an injunction was issued prohibiting any activity on the land. Despite this, the accused individuals continued to forcibly cultivate paddy.
The land in question falls under Verindi mouza, Jail No. 46. Specifically, it includes .76 acres under SA-79 Khatian, Dag No. 589 (old), updated to 752; .50 acres under AS-35 Khatian, Dag No. 590 (old), updated to 751; and .07 acres under Dag No. 587 (old), updated to 754 — totaling 1.33 acres, which is now under illegal occupation.
Tenant farmers reported that due to the muscle power and local influence of the occupiers, they forcibly took control of the land and began cultivation. Meanwhile, the rightful owners, who had possessed the land for over 55 years, are being prevented from accessing or using it. They are facing continuous threats and intimidation. Despite the legal dispute still ongoing, the land has been seized through force. The original owners also claimed they were threatened with death if they attempted to enter the land.
In response to the allegations, Anarul Islam, one of the accused, denied the accusations, claiming: “Our land deed was missing, which is why we couldn’t possess the land earlier. Now that we’ve found it, we’re cultivating our ancestral land.” However, when asked whether there is any court ruling in their favor or if such a forceful takeover during a pending legal case is lawful, he failed to provide a clear answer.
Nachole Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monirul Islam confirmed that a written complaint regarding land grabbing and intimidation has been received. “We are investigating the matter. The land dispute is currently under judicial consideration. Once the court gives a decision, the police will act accordingly to implement it,” he said.
