Leader belonging to Awami League forcefully occupied houses of Minority Hindus at night on 26^th February, 2010 at Motbaria Sub-district in Bangladesh and unauthorised constructions thereon, temple set on fire (The Daily Janata dated 2^nd of March, and The daily Sangbad dated 2^nd March 2010)

Staff Reporter:  (The Daily Janata  and The daily Sangbad)

Md. Farukuzzaman –  Awami League leader along with some goons  at Motbaria Upazila of Perojpur District forcefully occupied the lands and dwelling houses belonged to Nittananda Shil (Montu) located at Motabair municipality. They also set fire on the temple of the said Hindu victim intimidating to leave his house.

Mr.Nittananda Shil went to lodge FIR against Mr. Farukuzzaman and other 10 perpetrators at Mobbaria police station soon after this incident but the police neglected to register his case till writing of this report. It is also reported that police assisting the perpetrators. But the Hindu victims felt insured.

As per complain lodged at police station it is reported that about 40-50 perpetrators armed with deadly weapons with the collusion of Mr.Farukuzzaman on 26^th February,10 forcefully occupied .19 decimals of  lands of Nittananda and hurriedly fenced those lands and erected illegally a tin shed on the spot.  The perpetrators also set fire on the temple of Gour Gadadhar Sebasram. The reporter also went to the spot and saw that the lands of Nittananda were forcefully occupied fencing the tin sheds and cemented pillars were erected.

Ms.Champak Rani Shil (65) old mother of Nittananda Shil reported that their inherited properties were forcefully occupied by Farukuzzaman showing his official power and before occupation this lands were possessing and enjoying by them since long.

Shrewd Farukuzzaman also hold a press conference on Sunday last denying the allegations of forceful occupation and said that two sons of deceased Lalit Kumar Shil Nittananda Shil and  Robin Shil. He purchased a portion of lands from Robin Shil on 27.01.2010 by a registered documents no.424 and it is not a forceful occupation, “I have occupied after purchase from Robin Shil” said Farukuzzaman.

On the contrary Nittananda Shil alleged that his brother Robin Shil had been staying in India after 1971 and he inherited no properties from his father as his father on 20.05.1982 by a registered deed No.5781 transferred the lands to him legally and died. He also alleged that police did not record the case despite repeated requests. He also alleged that police put pressure on the victim to make a compromise with Farukuzzaman.  The Hindu victim is on continuous threat as police did not act as per law.

On last Sunday noon Md. Nurul Hoque – Officer-in-Charge of Motabaira police station visited the spot and he admitted occupation and Nittananda submitted an allegations and case would be taken up after investigation.

Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) Dhaka communicated with O.C. Motbaria P.S. who informed GHRD that Nittananda made a general diary entry number 1309 dated 27.2.10 at Motbaria P.S. informing the O.C. apprehending that he might be evicted by land grabbers, but O.C. did not take any positive steps, thereafter he also made another G.D. entry number 1312 dated 27.02.10 at his P.S. informing that continuous threat was going on but the O.C. did not take any measures to safeguard the properties of Nittananda. But he was trying to negotiate with other local influential people for a settlement, but the O.C. denied any incident of burning of Hindu temple. I also contacted with Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman who informed me that he is now aware of the incident.

I on behalf of BDMW over phone and the O.C. informed me that another case was filed which has been registered as G.D. No. 1396 dated 28.02.10 but the matter is still under investigation. I drew attention of law without taking cognizance of offence how a case would be investigated?  But the O.C. did not explain why he did not take any steps against the lands grabbers without registering regular case against the perpetrators.

After half a hour, Md. Farukuzaman- Awami League Leader made a telephone call at about 2 p.m. from his telephone number: 01712626784 informing BDMW that he is not guilty of forceful occupation of land belonging to Nittananda Shil but he claimed that he purchased the lands from his brother-Robin Shil on 27.01.2010 and took possession. But he could not say where Robin Shil was staying during the relevant time and who gave possession. We came to know that Robin Shil left India during 1971 and the disputed lands.

Lately we came to know that O.C. took case against the perpetrator on the advice of Judicial Magistrate-Perojpur and also continuous persuasion by BDMW Dhaka.

An investigative report will follow.