15 acres of mosque's farmland lies uncultivated due to BNP leader's threat in Kalapara
Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)
Some 15 acres of mosque land is lying uncultivated due to threats from a BNP leader at Kalapara in Patuakhali.
The land of the Jame Mosque in Chalitabunia Talukder Bari of Champapur Union of the upazila could not be cultivated even at the end of the season and despite complaining to the police or the upazila administration, there was no result. Although this has caused a huge loss of food production and the religious institution has suffered financial losses, no one seems to be able to do anything about it. However, the accused ward BNP president is clear that there will be land disputes this year too. And the police administration says that matters related to land are beyond the jurisdiction of the police, it is a matter under the jurisdiction of the court. However, if any criminal offense is committed in this regard, we will take legal action.
Sources said that 15.80 acres of land in the SA 33 Khatian of Krishnapur Mouza of Champapur Union of the upazila was transferred to the Jame Mosque of Chalitabunia Talukdar Bari by the philanthropist Safiz Uddin Howlader on November 27, 1956, inspired by Islamic service, on the basis of the Waqf document number 6942. The land administration registered the 14.63 acres of land in the 92, 93, 145, 146, 36, 75, 187, 10 number of Khatian number 4 of Krishnapur-18 Mouza as a BS in favor of the land. It has been registered as a Waqf estate. EC number 16117, date November 27, 1957. For about 70 years, the income from this land of the mosque was being spent on the development of the mosque for the devout Muslims. Last year, when the land was to be cultivated, the law and order situation deteriorated due to widespread clashes. As a result, the mosque's land remained uncultivated. This year, cultivation could not be carried out due to the restrictions even at the end of the season.
According to Upazila Land Office sources, 14.63 acres of land at plots 92, 93, 145, 146, 36, 75, 187, 10 of Krishnapur-18 Mouza 4 under Dhankhali Union Land Office is owned by Motwali on behalf of Chalitabunia Talukder Bari Jame Masjid. Land development tax of 32 thousand 140 taka including arrears was paid on May 12, 2025, including the arrears, in the last financial year 2024-25. The source initially confirmed the land of the mosque by scanning the entry on Google.
Mosque Committee Member Md. Atiqur Rahman Pintu said, 'After applying to the UNO for the cultivation of the mosque land run by Motwali, the UNO sir wrote to Chairman Champapur on December 25, 2025 to take action. But no remedy has been found till date.' Pintu further said, 'Since the location of the land is next to Nazrul Khan's house, they are not allowing the mosque land to be occupied by force of muscle power as they have not received a verdict in their favor despite being reminded by the court.'
In this regard, the accused Champapur Union Ward No. 3 BNP President Md. Nazrul Khan said, 'That land is ours. There is a case in the court regarding the land. During the Awami League era, Batu Talukdar and Al-Amin Talukdar forcibly occupied the land. Now the land will remain vacant until the land is understood.'
Upazila BNP President Haji Humayun Sikder said, "The land is in the name of the mosque. I sat with both parties. Nazrul Khan has a case in court or claims ownership of the land, but he could not show any documents. Initially, the ownership of the mosque is clear. This huge amount of land needs to be cultivated. If necessary, we will take the initiative to cultivate it with sharecroppers."
Kalapara Police Station OC Md. Juzel Islam said, 'A complaint has been received regarding land issues. Which is beyond the jurisdiction of the police, it is a matter under the jurisdiction of the court. Last year, there was a clash between the two sides over this, in which chili powder was even used. A criminal case has been filed. If any criminal offense is committed this year too, we will take legal action.'
Kalapara UNO Yasin Sadek's statement could not be reached as he tried to contact him on his mobile phone several times but was unable to connect.
