Awami League MP Dabirul hands over land to Hindu family after media reports of ‘forcible occupation’

The Awami League MP from Thakurgaon, Dabirul Islam, has denied allegations of grabbing land owned by Hindus, but says he has given the plot back to its claimant.

He alleged the media had published ‘provocative’ news and blamed former water resources minister Ramesh Chandra Sen for it.

Sen, Thakurgaon-1 MP, however, dismissed the charge, saying there was no question of his involvement.

bdnews24.com learnt from locals that Islam, MP from the Tkakurgaon-2 constituency, had set up a tea garden - the Ranbag Islami Tea Estate Company -  in the bordering areas of the Upazila.

Some Hindu families own land in the surrounding areas and within the tea estate spread over 106 acres (265 bighas).

Of them, Akul Chandra Singh’s family owns 21 bigha, Bhakaram Singh and Chandra Singh own 27 bighas, Thonaram Singh 24 bighas and Khudanlal owns 24 bighas.

The dispute is mainly over Akul Chandra Singha’s one-bigha plot situated next to the MP’s property.

Akul Chandra alleged a group of people, led by Islam’s son Majharul Islam Sujan, attacked him on June 19. Thonaram Singh was said to have been injured in the attack.

But MP Islam alleged Akul Chandra ‘intentionally’ claimed a portion (33 decimal) of the land beside a river, “though his land had been submerged,” he said.

“Tea garden workers had quarrelled with him when he tried to gain possession,” he added.

He also alleged MP Sen and local Jamaat-e-Islami leader Aiyub Ali were carrying on a campaign, describing the incident as oppression against the minority community.

On June 27, local leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council and Awami League measured the land of Akul Chandra in the presence of reporters.

They said the inundated and low-lying land belonged to Akul Chandra.

“There is no owner of the disputed land, but I’ve asked Akul Chandra to cultivate it,” MP Islam said.

Former minister Sen said he had only asked the deputy commissioner and police superintendent to look into the matter when a group of Hindus complained to him.

“I know nothing about what happened later,” he said.

SP Abdur Rahim Shah said police would investigate the matter.