Powerful land grabbers target helpless families in Sapahar

Our correspondent : Kamrul Islam

Several families in Naogaon’s Sapahar have been left destitute as powerful land grabbers take control of their property, despite the victims holding valid title deeds. Abdul Bashir, a resident of Shitaldanga village, has filed a complaint saying that his family has lawfully owned and cultivated land in the Gopalpur area for the last 30-35 years.

However, a land grabber, Ayash Uddin, using political influence and a group of armed men, forcibly took control of the land and began cultivating it.

Despite multiple attempts to seek justice, the families were unable to reclaim their land. On January 26, 2025, a case was filed in Naogaon court against Ayash Uddin and six others, under sections 144/145 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Following an investigation, the court confirmed the plaintiffs’ ownership and issued a ruling to maintain the status quo on the property.

However, Ayash Uddin disregarded the court order and continued farming the land. On February 19, 2025, unknown individuals sprayed herbicides on the crop, destroying it. Ayash Uddin subsequently filed a case against the victims. The situation worsened on March 28, 2025, when the crop was again destroyed in a similar manner.

Despite repeated requests, Ayash Uddin has failed to provide any valid documents supporting his claim to the land. The victims are now calling on local authorities to take swift action to resolve the issue and ensure justice is served.