Withdraw land grabbing case or leave village

A Hindu family in Fakirertokeya Balapara village of Sadar upazila is living in panic as they continued receiving death threat from a gang of land grabbers led by a union parishad member.

Mahfuz Alam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, confirmed the incident, saying that a general diary was filed in connection with the incident on Monday.

Contacted, UP member Sirazul Islam said if the Hindu family does not withdraw the case, they cannot stay in the village.

Victim Dinonath Chandra Barmon, 55, of the village, said a gang of land grabbers, led by Sirazul, continued giving death threat to him and his family members to withdraw the case.

Sub-Inspector SI Mainul Islam, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, said some locals, allegedly led by UP member Sirazul, grabbed seven decimals of land belonging to Khagendranath Barman, son of Dinonath, and built a temporary tin-shed house on it forcibly on January 29 this year. They also took away 120 bamboos after felling them, he said.

“The land grabbers put pressure on Khagendranath to sell his land but he did not agree. Later, they demanded Tk 50,000 from him but he refused. They finally grabbed the land," the IO said, adding that a case was filed, accusing 10 people.

The accused include Majnu Miah, 40, of the same village, and UP member Sirazul. Police arrested Majnu on February 3 while other accused are on the bail.

“After inquiry, we will send the report to the court appealing to cancel the bail of the accused and then police will arrest them following the court order,” said the OC.

They have already provided security to the victim family, he said.