Enclave swap gives rise to new land disputes
A day after Dashiarchhara of Kurigram's Phulbari upazila became a part of Bangladesh in a historic enclave swap, two groups of claimants of a piece of land clashed there yesterday injuring at least 11 people.
The injured were taken to Phulbari Upazila Health Complex.
Police and local sources said Emdadul Haque, the son of the present land owner Shirajul Islam, raised objection when Rasel Mia, the son of Abdul Hai, tried to fence the land around 2:00pm, claiming they were the real owner.
At one point, Emdadul attacked Rasel and soon it turned into a violent clash between the relatives of the two men. They clashed with sticks for about half an hour till police intervened, said the sources.
The injured were Abdul Hai, 50, Rasel Mia, 17, Obayedul Haque, 52, and Khairul Islam, 22, of one group, and Shiraj Mia, 70, Emdadul Haque, 38, Harun-ar-Rashid, 35, Abul Kalam Azad, 32, Abu Siddik, 28, Aleya Begam, 28, and Sahera Banu, 20, of the other.
Shiraj Mia said, “I have been the owner of the 15 decimals of land near Kalirhat Bazar for the last 35 years after buying it from Obayedul Haque and Mokhsedul Haque of Dashiarchhara enclave through a normal stamp as there was no land registration system here. Now they are claiming ownership of the land.”
On the other hand, Obayedul Haque said, “We gave the land to Shiraj Mia for using it for some years as barga (lease) and took it back through a salish (local meeting). It is my father's land. No question can arise about us taking over the land illegally.”
Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nasir Uddin Mahmud said he rushed to the spot on information and requested both groups to keep calm.
Mohammad Badruddoza, officer-in-charge of Phulbari Police Station, said they brought the situation under control and would keep watch in the area.
Comments