Freedom Fighter’s family living in insecurity

A freedom fighter’s family in Lalmonirhat is living in insecurity due to a conflict over the occupation of a land, allocated to him by the government. The land in question was allotted to Freedom Fighter Late Rais Uddin Fakir and family in 2010 as the family owned no land until then. The 2.10 acres land is part of a 21.41 acres land and demarcated under Khatian No: 01, Daag No. 1534 in West Doiljor area of Saptibari union in the Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district.

Prior to the government’s allotment of the land, it had been under the occupation of Late Jehed Ali’s four sons and their families. When Rais Uddin’s family tried to take control of their land, a conflict ensued with the four sons of Ali – named Ibrahim Sheikh (65), Nuru Sheikh (55), Hamid and Abul Kashem (40). 

The conflict got bigger with time as both parties wanted the control of it. Both sides lodged complaints with the police station over the conflict.

According to Rais Uddin’s family and local sources, the dispute has been going on for a long time over the occupation of government allotted land to the late freedom fighter. The case is still pending in the court while the family members of the freedom fighter are living their days under threat.

The wife of the late Rais Uddin said, “The land was given to us by the government. We are trying to make a living through farming and fishing in our house on the other side of the land. However, we have not been able to take possession of it properly yet.”

She also said, “The occupants of the land even attacked our family with weapons. My sons were injured and had to undergo treatment. I lodged a complaint with Aditmari police station. Later I filed another case regarding the land. The matter has also been investigated and the investigation report clearly mentioned that we have been allotted this land by the government.”

An investigation report of Saptibari Union Land Office dated October 29, 2020, reads that the 2.10 acres of land was allotted to the deceased freedom fighter Rais Uddin Fakir and his family by the deputy commissioner. However, due to the conflict between the two parties, a case is pending in the court, the number of which has been mentioned as 25/2020.

The late freedom fighter’s wife further said, "The case is pending in the court but still Ibrahim and his family members sometimes come with gangs and threaten us to vandalize and smash our houses to the ground." 

“My children and I walk the streets scared. Even though the case is going on in the court, our fear has not diminished. At present we are living in insecurity, she said adding, “We want peace.”

When asked about the conflict, a member of Ibrahim Sheikh’s family said, “A case is pending in the court over the land. We will accept the verdict of the court.” He, however, denied the threatening the late freedom fighter’s family.