157 families yet to get khas land possession
Some 157 landless families in Bhogdaburi union in Domar upazila of Nilphamari received ownership documents for government-allocated khas land over a decade ago, but no one is yet to get full possession of the lands due to illegal occupation by influential locals.
Following newspaper reports, an investigation team from some rights groups visited the area and found the allegations which were revealed at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday. Two of the families narrated their cases at the event.
“I received the government deed 13 years ago. But I am yet to get its possession as UP Chairman Abu Taher and other influential people are occupying the land,†said Shafikul, 60, a landless villager.
The government allocated 55.1 acres (around 165 bighas) of khas land to these families between 1999 and 2001, to eradicate landlessness. But the district administration has not ensured in the last 12 years that the deprived people possess the land.
All of the landless people present at the conference alleged that the district and upazila administrations not only remained silent but also helped local elites continue their illegal occupation.
They submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner (DC) on September 30 last year but the DC rebuked two of them for entering his office in torn clothes.
They also said last year the illegal occupants and their goons assaulted them mercilessly for claiming possession.
ActionAid, ASK, TIB, ALRD, Nijera Kori and BLAST conducted the investigation.
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