Azad, Lakshmipur Correspondent: Armed gangs and bandits are plundering crops from farmers in the remote char areas of the Meghna River in Lakshmipur’s coastal region. Over the last few days, these groups have camped in the chars, intimidating farmers and forcing them to leave. Earlier, several incidents of attacks and looting had occurred, including the killing of two people. As a result, crops in the char lands are being destroyed on one hand, while on the other, bandits are seizing the harvested produce. Locals allege the gangs are carrying various weapons as they occupy the area. Recently, farmers filed written complaints with the newly appointed District Administrator and also lodged cases in court, seeking action against the looters and recovery of their crops.
Sources say more than 800 farmers from Lakshmipur have long cultivated crops on Tunur Char and Char Kaniboga, newly formed islands in the Meghna River. This year too, they planted Aman paddy, which is now ready for harvest. While some managed to collect their crops, most could not. Over a hundred bandits from Bhola have taken control of the chars, threatening farmers and chasing them away. As a result, farmers have been unable to harvest their soybeans. When they attempt to enter the char, they are attacked. Farmers claim the bandits are looting the harvested paddy.
On November 25, Rajjab Ali Khan, a farmer from Ward 6 of Char Ababil Union, submitted a written complaint to the District Administrator seeking action to stop the obstruction of Aman paddy harvesting in Tunur Char (Barishal side) and against local land-grabbers Sohel, Ripon, Minu Amin, and others from Char Kachhia village.
On Monday (1 December), Mahiyuddin, a farmer from Rakhalia village in Sonapur Union, said, “Tajul Gazi and Nurul Amin’s group looted the Aman crops from one acre of my land. They are planning to take more. Multiple complaints have been filed at the police station, and two cases are ongoing in court.” Farmers from Char-Lakkhi village reported that a group of bandits led by Jasim Bhuiyan and Zakir Hossain had already harvested and taken away paddy from 8 acres of land and were planning further attacks. Complaints to Raipur Police have not produced any results, they said.
Mahiyuddin, Jasim, Zakir and several other affected farmers alleged that Bhola’s Russell Khan, Halim Khan, Mintu Khan and more than a hundred armed men are occupying the char. “We cannot go there. They intimidate us. They have attacked us many times before, killing two people and injuring many. Cases are still ongoing. Yet they continue to torture us in various ways. We want justice from the administration and help so we can bring our crops home,” they said.
Victim Mahiyuddin added, “For the last two years, they have not allowed us to harvest our crops. The terrorists demand large sums of extortion money. If we refuse, they seize everything we harvest. Using political backing, several influential individuals from the char are looting all our crops. If we protest, they beat us and threaten to kill us. We are living in fear. Three days ago, they chased us again when we tried to collect our crops. We have informed the Superintendent of Police.”
Abu Zafar Mintu Forayezi, Chairman of Dakshin Charbangshi Union Parishad, said, “Every year during the harvest of paddy and soybean, a group of land-grabbers launches attacks. In 2020, terrorists in Char Megha, near the Raipur border, killed two people and crippled many others. Now during harvest season, when farmers enter the vast Meghna char to collect their crops, land-grabbers with 20–30 men loot everything. We urge the administration to take urgent action so farmers can safely collect their crops. Farmers are living in constant fear.”
Assistant Police Superintendent (Raipur–Ramganj Circle) Md. Jamilul Haque said, “We have received several complaints. After investigation, legal action will be taken against those found involved.”
