Saidul Islam Montu, Betagi (Barguna)

Helpless farmers, victims of river erosion in the upazila, have alleged that attempts have been made to occupy Ruhita Char, which has emerged on the banks of the Bishkhali River in Betagi, Barguna, and cultivated paddy and vegetables on the char have been fed to buffaloes and cows and cut down.

On Saturday, some land grabbers from Bamna Upazila carried out a rampage of forcible occupation and fed paddy to buffaloes and cows and cut down the cultivated paddy in the char. The helpless farmers have already met the Barguna Deputy Commissioner on January 1, seeking assistance.

Locals said that the Ruhita Char, which has emerged on the Bishkhali River and is separated from the upazila, is visible in the heart of Bishkhali, covering 250 acres of land. This char, which has immense potential for agriculture, was created by breaking into the river of the residents of No. 47 Balaibunia and No. 52 Talbari Mouzas of Buramjumdar Union, which is located on the banks of the Bishkhali River on the border of Betagi Upazila, a rural municipality of the country. The char was created by breaking into the river and the property of the Betagi part was already registered.

The complaint states that on December 9 last year and January 4 this year, some land grabbers from Bamna suddenly entered the char in two phases and cut and destroyed the fields of Khesari Dhal, vegetables, brinjal, cabbage, and chili. They have forcibly planted Kumar Bichi Sarisha on the land. If you try to stop them, they show threats and intimidation. They are running away in fear and panic because they have brought domestic weapons. As a result, they are currently unable to cut and cultivate paddy. They are not even able to feed grass to cows and goats. If you try to stop them, they show threats and intimidation. They are running away in fear and panic.

For years, the common and landless people of the erosion-hit Betagi Upazila have been earning a living by cultivating the land of the Ruhita char on the banks of the Bishkhali River. But unfortunately, some land grabbers from Bamna Upazila on the other bank of the river have been demanding the land of the char, which is registered as the property of Betagi Upazila, and are desperate to take it under their control since November 18, 2024.

Abdus Sobahan Howladar, a resident of the river erosion-hit area, alleged that there was a dispute with Bamna Upazila for many years over a part of the char. However, the last time on December 19, the Betagi and Bamna Upazila land offices demarcated the boundary and temporarily bury the bus. But unfortunately, even after this, the land grabbers from Bamna Upazila on the other bank of the river are not stopping.

Since the Ruhita char is the government property of the Betagi Upazila part and has been registered since before. Naturally, the people of this upazila will occupy the char land. The people who have lost their lives in erosion will never let the land go. On December 11, the helpless locals formed a human chain in front of the Upazila Parishad so that this char does not change hands. At that time, the speakers demanded that the Upazila and district administration take immediate steps for permanent settlement.

About a hundred ordinary and landless farmers who were left homeless by the erosion of the villages of Balaibunia and Talbari participated in the human chain program. The residents of the area, Abdur Rob Sikder, Abdur Razzak, Miraj Hossain, Md. Shahid Mridha, Mamun Mridha, Md. Siddique, Md. Sohrab Sikder, Kamal Hossain, Md. Yusuf, Md. Nesar and Md. Shukkur, spoke at the human chain.

Local resident Abdur Rob Sikder said, we met the Barguna DC on January 1. He gave instructions to resolve the dispute with the intervention of the UNOs of the two upazilas.

Accordingly, both sides have been informed that there will be a meeting with everyone in the presence of the UNOs on January 6 at Ruhita Char. But unfortunately, they are not complying with anything. On January 4, some land grabbers forcibly occupied the char and fed paddy to the buffaloes and cows cultivated in the char and cut it. We do not want any kind of violence. We will accept the decision made by the administration.

When asked, Betagi UNO Md. Bashir Gazi said, the Barguna District Commissioner has instructed the UNO of Bamna Upazila and me regarding the matter. Accordingly, there is a meeting with people from both areas at Ruhita Char. We hope that we will be able to reach a proper solution to this.

Barguna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiul Alam said, "There is no reason for any fear or anxiety about this. I have instructed the UNOs of the two upazilas to resolve the matter properly. I hope they can resolve it as soon as possible."