Nikhil Kumar Chowdhury, the lone member of a Hindu family in Lakshmipur Mouza under Kamarpur Union of Sadullapur Upazila, Gaibandha, has raised a heart-wrenching question — “Is being a Hindu a crime?”
He made this statement at a press conference held at Gaibandha Press Club on Saturday, describing how his family’s nearly 5 acres of land were grabbed, their house looted, and later set on fire.
In his written statement, Nikhil, a schoolteacher, alleged that on August 6 last year, a group of identified land grabbers led by Matiar Rahman Shamim, son of the late Cholayman, along with his brothers Maksudar, Mokhles, and Musha, illegally seized their land. The attackers looted valuables from the house and later set it ablaze, threatening to kill and evict the family.
Despite appealing to law enforcement and various authorities, Nikhil claimed he received no justice. When he went to file a police case, the land grabbers filed one first, and only afterward was his case accepted as a counter-complaint. Since then, the family has been living in fear of eviction and persecution.
On October 16 this year, the attackers reportedly returned and cut down banana, lemon, and other fruit trees along with bamboo groves from Nikhil’s homestead, fencing off the area afterward.
The press statement also noted that Nikhil’s family lawfully owns 5.72 acres of land recorded under C.S. No. 308 and R.S. No. 358, which was previously listed in the “Kha” schedule of vested property. After the government officially released the property on May 15, 2012, and approved the mutation in Nikhil’s family’s name, the land grabbers appealed multiple times — losing at every stage up to the Land Appeal Board in 2022. Despite these defeats, they continue to occupy part of the land and intimidate the family to seize the rest.
Nikhil urged the Chief Adviser of the Government and senior administrative officials to ensure the safety of his family and restore their property rights.
Regarding the incident, Kamarpur UP Chairman Mahfuzar Rahman Rashed said, “I’m helpless — I couldn’t resolve the dispute.”
Among those present at the press conference were Nikhil’s younger brother Utpal Kumar Chowdhury, his wife Poly Rani, sister-in-law Shyamoli Rani, and nephew Arpan Chowdhury.
