Grabbers eye Kalapara crematorium of Rakhaine people

Land grabbers allegedly belonging to the ruling Awami League set a pillar (inset) at the crematorium cum graveyard of the Rakhaine people in Kalapara upazila under Patuakhali district a few days ago. The grabbers' attempt to dig the area, however, has been stalled following intervention by the local administration. PHOTO: STAR

The crematorium of Rakhaine community at Nachnapara beside Patuakhali-Kalapara road in Kalapara municipality under the district is facing threat of grabbing allegedly by ruling Awami League (AL) men.
On April 6, a gang of 20-25 people led by Jalal of Rajopara in Kalapara upazila set up pillars in the middle of the crematorium on the bank of Done River and started earth cutting there when Rakhaines protested it, said the community people.
The local Rakhaines in 1965 set up a crematorium for the community on 0.22 acres of land (plot No 320) at Nachnapara but recently an employee of Kalapara upazila land office illegally leased 0.12 acres of the land to Jalal, said Momothe Rakhaine, a member of crematorium committee.
Syed Akhtaruzzaman alias Kokka Mira, former president of Tiakhali union unit of AL, also former chairman of Tiakhali union parishad under the upazila, is trying to occupy the land in collusion with Jalal, he added.
On April 6 morning, a 20-25 member gang led by Jalal set up pillars in the middle of the crematorium and started cutting earth inside. Seeing the matter, Rakhaines protested it.
The next day, Momothe Rakhaine on behalf of the local Rakhine community submitted a written complaint to deputy commissioner (DC) of Patuakhali demanding immediate step to save the crematorium from the grabbers.
At this the grabbers became angry and a gang of 10-12 led by Kokka Mira came to the spot on four or five motorbikes and threatened to vandalise the crematorium if the Rakhaines do not withdraw the complaint.
Jalal's family sources claimed that they took lease of 0.12 acres of land inside the crematorium from local upazila land office in the name of Jalal and his wife Jharna Begum but Rakhaines are creating obstacle when they started cutting earth on the 'leased' land.
Kokka Mira said, "Jalal got lease of the land on plot No 322 from the upazila land office and the crematorium is on plot No 320. I am working on behalf of Jalal on the issue as I have to see public interest."
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) of Patuakhali Md Shah Alam, also the acting DC, said he has asked the UNO of Kalapara to take step following the petition submitted by Momothe Rakhaine.
"As per the order from the acting DC, I have asked the AC (Land) to investigate the matter," said Md Jahangir Hossain, UNO of Kalapara.