Elderly woman gets back land from illegal occupier
An elderly widow has got back her one-katha land with three shops at Gopgram village in Kushtia’s Khoksa upazila after four months of illegal occupation by a local union parishad (UP) member, thanks to the prompt action by the local administration.
Abdus Salam Santu, member of Gopgram UP, occupied the land and shops worth about Tk 50 lakh from Halima Khatun, 63, four months ago, said ABM Mehedi Masud, OC of Khoksa Police Station.
“Halima inherited the one-katha land at Gopgram Bazar from her husband. Her son Montu built three shops there eight years ago. Montu died of disease four years ago and Halima continued living at the village with his widow and their two sons. The three shops were rented to one Altaf Hossain,” said the OC.
“Over four months ago, Santu member called Halima to his home through Altaf and offered her old age allowance. As Halima happily agreed, Santu asked her to sign some papers. Illiterate Halima signed the papers and Santu gave her Tk 2000.
“When Halima asked Altaf to pay the monthly rent of her shops in July this year, the latter said that she had sold the shops to Santu member. Hapless Halima approached several persons for a solution but to no effect.
After learning about the matter from a report published in local Bangla daily Dainik Kushtia, Khoksa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mousumi Zerin Kanta asked the OC to see the matter.
The OC conducted an investigation and found that Santu had captured Halima’s land by cheating her.
The local administration gave an ultimatum to Santu to return back the land and suggested Halima to file a case.
Halima, however, expressed her unwillingness to file a case and said she would be happy if she gets back her land.
On Thursday, Santu member formally returned back the land to Halima at local sub-registrar’s office.
“I am happy to get back my land,” said Halima.
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