The BNP leaders are desperate to take control of the char lands. Local BNP leaders are keen to seize control of the char lands emerging in the Meghna River west of Raipur, Lakshmipur. Many char lands have already been occupied, and they are keen to get control of the remaining 2,700 acres of enormous char territory.
The BNP leaders are desperate: In November, BNP leaders, including former UP chairman and North Charbanshi Union BNP chairperson Mostafa Gazi, made announcements over loudspeakers to meet and discuss who owns land in the char area of the Meghna River in the North and Charbanshi Unions. Several residents of the char claim that loudspeakers were used to encourage the concept of taking the land if the deeds were not accessible.
Meanwhile, on Thursday and Friday (December 20 and 21), followers of Shamim Gazi, the member secretary of the upazila volunteer team, clashed with those of Faruk Gazi, the vice president of the North Charbanshi Union BNP, over control of the Meghna river char, fish market, and bazaar. The fight led to the destruction and pillage of party offices, fish warehouses, residential homes, and shops. Two motorcycles were also set afire. Later, the army and police arrived and took control of the situation.
Following the clash, on Saturday afternoon (December 22), at the request of former MP Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, the leaders of the upazila BNP held a news conference and dissolved all committees of the North Charbanshi Union BNP and its connected organizations. At the same time, a six-member inquiry team was constituted, directed by ZM Nazmul Islam Mithu, the upazila BNP convener, and given three days to provide a report.
According to local sources, despite the government’s plans to distribute land in the Meghna river areas of the North Charbanshi, South Charbanshi, and North Charababil unions to landless people, a group of corrupt land officials, in collusion with party members and influential individuals, are keeping control of these lands under the guise of rehabilitation.
In this regard, the convener of the upazila BNP, Nazmul Islam Mithu, and the general secretary, Shafiqul Rahman Bhuiyan, stated that all BNP and Volunteer Party committees in the North Charbanshi Union have been dissolved as a result of the clash between party and volunteer leaders and workers. A six-person investigative committee has been created. If the claims prove to be true, action will be taken.
When asked about reclaiming these seized government lands, Lakshmipur District Commissioner Rajib Kumar Sarker stated, “Not only the chars that have emerged on the Meghna River, but the chars under the jurisdiction of four upazilas are also controlled by powerful persons. We received such complaints. We shall go to the chars. A list of government khas lands in the char districts controlled by powerful people is being compiled.
The BNP leaders are desperate..The BNP leaders are desperate…The BNP leaders are desperate..
