Bhola Correspondent: In Doulotkhan Upazila of Bhola, allegations have arisen against a group of people for evicting residents over a land dispute.
On Saturday (April 4) at 5:00 PM, the victim, Md. Mostofa, raised the allegation at the Bhola office of the Mofossol Journalists Forum. He stated that the record owner of the land in SA 110, located in West Joynagar Mauza of South Joynagar Union, Ward No. 2, was his grandmother, Amena Khatun (husband: Ali Mia). By inheritance, he and his relatives have been recognized as the owners and have been living there in a residential house built on the land since 2008.
He added that his younger brother, Abul Kalam, and his cousin, Shahe Alam, along with their families, had been living on the land for many years. Birth registrations and national ID cards are also registered under their names at this address. Furthermore, he claims to have registered ownership and tax receipts for 52 percent of the land.
According to the allegation, on the morning of March 28 at around 10:00 AM, the opposing party attacked them with sticks in a coordinated manner. Women and children were forcibly dragged out of the house, and their homes were vandalized. Several family members required hospital treatment due to injuries. They are now living homeless and in distress.
On the other hand, the opposing party, Almgeer Boyati and Bashir Boyati, claim that the disputed 52 percent of the land was purchased from Amena Khatun by their ancestor Mujibul Haque on November 22, 1948, under deed number 6105. They argue that no one else has a legal right to reside on this land.
A local former Union Parishad member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the matter has been discussed several times in local arbitration. After reviewing the documents, it appears that the disputed land was auctioned in the name of Bashir Boyati’s father, and a possession certificate exists.
On-site investigation revealed that although the victims had lived on the land for many years, it is now in the possession of the heirs of Mujibul Haque.
The Officer-in-Charge of Doulotkhan Police Station stated that no written complaint has been filed regarding the incident so far.
