Residents form human chain in Brahmanbaria over land grabbing allegation, fear of clash at any moment

M. Badal Khandaker (District Correspondent) Local residents formed a human chain against Ali Mia and his associates on allegations of land grabbing, harassment and threats in Telinagar area of Talshahar Purba Union, Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila. The human chain was held in Telinagar area on Friday (October 16) at noon. Local residents including women and men took part in the human chain. At that time, Rahmat Ali and Md. Roman Mia delivered speeches. They said, the amount of our land is 85 decimals, former dag numbers 2126/2127/2128, present dag 7076/7077. It is mentioned that in 2006 we got verdict from the lower court and in 2008 from the Judge Court. Since the fall of the government, he has been threatening us identifying himself as the vice-president of Union BNP. Besides, Habibur Rahman, Humayun Kabir, Dulal Mia, Jahangir Mia, Harun Mia, Aslam Mia and Mujibur Rahman along with local residents were present. In the human chain, the victims alleged that Ali Mia, identifying himself as vice-president of Talshahar Purba Union BNP, and his people have illegally constructed wall and boundary wall on their purchased land. There has been a long-standing dispute over this. They claim that they have been possessing that land for about 50 years. About 30 years ago a case was filed in court over the land. They also claimed that they got verdict in their favor in the lower court and district judge court in that case. The victims alleged that even after getting the court verdict, Ali Mia and his men have constructed boundary wall on their land by exerting influence. Ali Mia forcibly occupied the land and put up a signboard for sale. In addition, they are being harassed and threatened in various ways. They alleged that they have even been threatened that they will not be allowed to live in the area. Speakers at the human chain said that they have been suffering immensely due to the long-standing dispute over land. They claimed that due to the influence and harassment of the accused, they cannot even live peacefully in their own houses. At that time, the victims sought urgent intervention of the administration to determine the boundary of the land, to get back possession of their own land and to stop harassment. At the same time, they demanded to investigate the allegation and take necessary legal action. During the human chain, accused Ali Mia obstructed. Local residents claimed that bloody clash may occur centering the said land.