Sunamganj Correspondent

Tension is prevailing in Dharmapasha Upazila of Sunamganj over the alleged attempt by a BNP leader to occupy the "Dubail Beel Ground Jalmahal".

Allegations of attack on the legal lessee organization, vandalism of boats, and looting of fish have been raised against a local influential group.

In connection with this incident, on 19 July, Md. Malek Sikdar, former President and currently elected member of "Jaidhona Matsyajibi Somobay Samity Ltd", filed a written complaint to the Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet.

Following this, on Tuesday, 21 July at noon, 20 to 25 people led by BNP leader Md. Nurul Islam BSc and Salahuddin Mahtab allegedly entered the unauthorized jalmahal with two boats, carried out a show of force, vandalized the lessee's boat, looted fish, and threatened the guard with death. The damage is estimated at nearly Tk 200,000.

The complaint states that Jaidhona Matsyajibi Somobay Samity, registered under the 2001 Cooperative Act, obtained the lease for Branch No. 1 of Dubail Bill in Dharmapasha Upazila from the government for the period from Bangla year 1428 to 30 Choitro 1433. The jalmahal covers 60 acres 35 decimals. The society has been regularly paying the annual lease value of Tk 4,028,220 to the government along with other taxes, and has been conserving fish while occupying the jalmahal for six years.

However, it is alleged that for a long time Md. Nurul Islam BSc, Joint Convener with signing authority of Dharmapasha Upazila BNP Convening Committee; Salahuddin Mahtab, President of Sukhair Rajapur South Union BNP; Mahbub Alam Hadis, member of the Upazila Convening Committee; Mojibur Rahman Mojumder; Saiful Islam Kamal Chowdhury, former Organizing Secretary of Dharmapasha Upazila BNP; Milon Chowdhury, member of Selbarash Union BNP Convening Committee; BNP leaders Abul Kashem Member, Ashik Khan, Kamrul Hasan Chowdhury, Polash Mia, Kalam Mia, Royal Mia, Hiron Khan, Bappu Mia, Robin Mia, Alam Mia, Kamal Mia, Choddu Mia, Mahabub, Amir Uddin, Dhon Mia, and 20-25 others have been illegally entering the jalmahal and forcibly harvesting the conserved fish.

The complaint describes the most alarming incident on 20 September 2025 at around 8:00 AM. On that day, the accused allegedly entered the jalmahal illegally with 3 engine-driven boats, carrying ramda, knives, iron rods, and various types of current nets. When the guards noticed and went to the spot in an engine-driven boat to stop them, the accused started abusing them. When guard Mozaffar Haque protested, 20-25 people, on the orders of the accused Ashik Khan, beat the guards indiscriminately with sticks and threw them from the boat into the water.

Hearing the guards' cries, Md. Malek Sikdar, former President and currently elected member of the society, went to the spot in another boat and saw the accused taking away looted fish of various species. The complaint estimates the value of the looted fish at Tk 500,000. While leaving, the accused also issued various threats.

In this situation, the victim society's President has requested the Divisional Commissioner to issue necessary directives to maintain law and order in the jalmahal and to ensure government revenue collection.

Copies of the complaint have been sent to the UNO of Dharmapasha, Assistant Commissioner (Land), Fisheries Officer, and the Officer-in-Charge of Dharmapasha Police Station.

Local legitimate fishermen have demanded prompt action against the culprits following an investigation into the complaint. Extreme tension is prevailing in the area over this incident.

Md. Nurul Islam BSc said, "The current lessee is fascist. I heard Ripon Mia has submitted a bid for the lease of Dubail Bill this year. At his invitation, several of us leaders and activists went to visit Dubail Bill.