Sandwip Family Alleges Forced Road Through Ancestral Homestead in Muchhapur

A family in Muchhapur Union of Sandwip upazila in Chattogram has alleged that an attempt is being made to forcibly build a road through the middle of its ancestral homestead. The Talukdar family has also accused Zakaria Taslim, who identifies himself as a Jubo Dal leader, of assault, threats, snatching fish and demanding extortion money.

The family raised the allegations at a press conference held at a restaurant in Chattogram on Wednesday (28 October). Master Zafrul Haque Talukdar delivered a written statement on behalf of the family. Protecting the family's ancestral property rights and a neutral investigation into the incidents were the main demands at the press conference.

In the written statement, Zafrul Haque said his family has possessed and enjoyed the ancestral property in Muchhapur Union for generations. He alleged that for the past two years, neighbour Zakaria Taslim has been trying to build a road through the middle of their homestead.

The statement said that when the family resisted, member Gias Uddin Talukdar was harassed, a criminal case was filed against him, and the Talukdar house was attacked with weapons and sticks. Family members are facing regular threats, it was claimed.

Zafrul Haque said there was never a public road over their land. There is the Solaiman Road on the west side of the house and a passage on the north side. Even so, he alleged, the forced road construction attempt continues.

He said the matter was reported to upazila BNP leaders and the police administration, but the expected remedy was not received.

The press conference also alleged that fish worth an estimated seven to eight lakh taka was snatched from a fish trader in the Banglabazar and Gachhtoli hat-ghat area. The written statement said the matter was later settled with a fine through the mediation of upazila BNP member secretary Alamgir Thakur and Jubo Dal convener Nijhum Khan.

The family also blamed Zakaria Taslim and his followers for an attack on trader Sahab Uddin in the Kerani Market area of Ward No. 7 of Muchhapur Union on 21 October. Sahab Uddin, seriously injured in the attack, is undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, the press conference was told.

Allegations were also raised of beating traders at Dhoparhat fish market, demanding extra money and obstructing business. The written statement mentioned beating curd seller Sakhawat and a salon trader after picking them up, and obstructing meat trader Soleman from doing business.

An armed attack on Kazi Ansari's house aimed at occupying his ancestral property, injuring his brother Rubel, and land grabbing and illegal construction in Ward No. 9 of Muchhapur were also alleged at the press conference.

Zafrul Haque said if anyone uses the BNP's name and political identity to create fear in the area, harass ordinary people or try to forcibly occupy land, it damages the party's image. He called on local BNP leaders to take effective action.

He said they are peace-loving people and do not want to get involved in unnecessary disputes with anyone. Their main demands are protection of their ancestral property rights, a neutral investigation of the allegations and justice under the law.

Asked about the allegations, Zakaria Taslim said the road is on government khas land. There is a canal beside it. The road was made for people's movement. He claimed no one's ancestral property was occupied.

Present at the press conference were Saiful Muluk Shipon, Alamgir Talukdar, Muhammad Shoaib Uddin Haider, Md. Saimun, Advocate Arafat Hasan, Imtiaz Uddin, Rashedul Muluk, Alamgir Haque Talukdar and Advocate Helal Mujib. The family sought journalists' cooperation to investigate and present the real facts.