Razzak Senior Reporter:
Allegations have been raised against Md. Abdus Samad (46), son of Md. Monir Uddin of Korai village under Kaziha Union No. 3 in Phulbari, Dinajpur, for repeatedly filing false cases to harass, harm, and oppress the helpless minority community.
The minorities, in a state of helplessness, held a press conference and human chain on March 20, 2022, which was published in various newspapers, social media, and TV channels. However, they did not receive any remedy. They have also repeatedly made written appeals to the Honorable Prime Minister and various government departments, but to no avail. The minority community is now distraught and without recourse.
On September 15, 2023, a delegation led by Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) President, Advocate Rabindra Ghosh, went for an on-site investigation. During the investigation, a review of the documents revealed that a pond, measuring 1.74 acres, located in Pukurihat Mouza, J.L. No. 160, C.S. Khatian No. 1, S.A. Khatian No. 1/1, and Dag No. 1653, was originally owned by 1. Shailendra Nath Ray Chowdhury, 2. Shibendra Nath Ray Chowdhury, and 3. Amarendra Nath Ray Chowdhury.
* On May 8, 1977, Shailendra Nath Ray, the recorded owner, through his son Subhendra Nath Ray Chowdhury, sold 0.87 acres of land in Dag No. 1653 via registered deed No. 9045 to 1. Shri Santosh Kumar Ray, 2. Manju Mohan Ray, 3. Chitta Ranjan Ray, 4. Lalit Mohan Ray, 5. Suresh Chandra Ray, and 6. Kalipada Ray.
* On July 14, 2015, Shibendra Nath Ray, the recorded owner, through his son Nibarendra Nath Ray, sold 0.4350 acres of land in Dag No. 1653 via registered deed No. 3157 to 1. Shri Santosh Kumar Ray, 2. Chitta Ranjan Ray, 3. Kajal Chandra Ray, 4. Sadananda Ray, 5. Dhananjay Ray, 6. Shyamal Chandra Ray, and 7. Ashani Chandra Ray.
* On April 21, 2016, Amarendra Nath Ray, the recorded owner, through his son Rabindra Nath Ray, sold 0.4350 acres of land in Dag No. 1653 via registered deed No. 1793 to 1. Bikash Chandra Ray, 2. Bhola Chandra Ray, 3. Chitta Ranjan Ray, 4. Kajal Chandra Ray, 5. Sadananda Ray, 6. Dhananjay Ray, 7. Shyamal Chandra Ray, and 8. Dablu Chandra Ray.
Through these three deeds, Bikash Chandra Ray and his family purchased the 1.74-acre property (the pond) and have been occupying and using it for fish farming.
Incidents and Legal Actions
* On April 20, 2019, as Bikash Chandra Ray and his family were heading towards Rangpur city in a pickup truck with 13 maunds of fish caught with a seine net from the pond, Abdus Samad and 23-24 others stopped the vehicle at the Pukuri Bazar intersection. They grabbed the driver Enamul by the collar, dragged him out of the vehicle, and attacked him with sharp knives and sticks, leaving him with bloody wounds. Bikash, fearing for his life, fled. Shri Rupand, who was on the truck, was dragged off, thrown onto the road, and hit on the head with an iron rod, leaving him with a bloody injury. When Anjali Ray, who was working nearby, came to help, she was also beaten and injured. The miscreants then transferred the fish to another vehicle and took it away. Locals came to the victims' aid and took them to the Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
* Bikash Chandra Ray tried to file a case at the police station, but the police refused to accept it. Subsequently, on May 26, 2019, Bikash filed a case with the Honorable Senior Judicial Magistrate Amoli Court-5 (Phulbari), Dinajpur, naming Abdus Samad and 14 others, along with 8-10 unidentified persons, as defendants (Case No. C.R.-79/2019), which is currently pending.
* In 2004, the property (the pond) was listed as vested property by the Government of Bangladesh. On July 23, 2020, the Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) granted a lease of the property to Abdus Samad.
* Due to the vested property status and the lease, Kalipada Ray and Bikash Ray filed a case on January 31, 2021, against the Deputy Commissioner, Dinajpur (representing the Government of Bangladesh), in the Honorable Joint District Judge Court-2, seeking to cancel the lease agreement (Case No. Arpito-305/12), which is also pending.
* On the other hand, on August 18, 2020, Md. Mobarak Hossain, the Kaziha Union Land Assistant Officer, filed a case at the Phulbari Police Station against Bikash Ray and four others, along with 7-8 unidentified persons, under sections 153/447/186/332/353/506/(2)/34 of the Penal Code-1760 (Case No. 10/144).
* During the investigation, Bikash Chandra Ray (33), son of Santosh Chandra Ray of Pukurihat (Dangapara) village, stated that Abdus Samad and his associates repeatedly come to the pond to steal fish. When they are obstructed, they attack and threaten the minority community and file false cases against them, causing harassment and harm. The minorities further stated that Abdus Samad, under the guise of political patronage, is subjecting them to false cases and oppression. They are now helpless and seek the intervention of the Honorable Prime Minister.
* Abdus Samad, the self-proclaimed litigant, has so far filed three false cases at the Phulbari Police Station, accusing Bikash Chandra Ray and his family of fish theft. In each false case, 12 to 16 people, including Bikash Chandra Ray, were named as defendants. These cases include Case No. 5/181 (June 4, 2017), Case No. 29/111 (April 30, 2019), and Case No. 25/148 (August 18, 2023).
* Notably, the first two cases (5/181 and 29/111) were proven false in court, and the court acquitted Bikash Chandra Ray and the other accused. Case No. 25/148 is currently pending.
* The investigation also revealed that on August 16, 2023, around 2:00 AM, Abdus Samad and a group of 60-70 people collectively attacked the homes of the Bikash Ray family and attempted to steal fish from the pond using a seine net. On August 22, 2023, Bikash Ray filed a case at the Phulbari Police Station under sections 143/341/447/323/379/506/511/114/34 of the Penal Code-1860, naming Abdus Samad and 14 others, along with 50-60 unidentified people, as defendants (Case No. 23/156). However, the police have not arrested any of the accused.
* Based on these allegations, when the BDMW delegation asked the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station, Mostafizar Rahman, about the incidents, he stated that he had only recently been transferred to the station and could not say much. When asked if the accused in case 23/156 had been arrested, he said they were out on bail. He also added that the minorities would now receive legal assistance.
* When the president of the BDMW contacted the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Md. Al Kamal, by phone to inquire about the incidents, he did not provide a satisfactory answer.
The BDMW delegation has strongly condemned and protested against such incidents and demanded an end to the repeated filing of false cases, harassment, and oppression against the minority community.
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