Around 5,000 farmers of 20 chars (shoals) in Bhola district have been passing days in panic fearing attack by musclemen and land grabbers ahead of Aman paddy harvest.
The char land are Ilishachar Ananda, Baghmara, Char Sutkimara, Char Hossen, Bhelumia, Majher Char, Char Medhua, Char Samsuddin, Char Madanpur, Char Modhupur, Char Chotkimara, Shikder Char, Char Kolmi and Char Jahajmara, Char Zahir Uddin and Dhar Char. In some areas farmers have already started harvesting the paddy.
The land grabbers from ruling party in connivance with land officials prepare fake documents with fictitious names and claim the khas land allotted to people living in char areas for cultivation, said Abdul Mannan, the owner of Bhedhuria Char under Sadar upazila.
While musclemen swoop on the ripe paddy fields, cut and loot it by attacking the farmers and often seriously injuring them. Most of the time the agents of land grabbers, collect money as extortion from them.
Shanti Ranjan Mondol, officer of Agriculture Extension Officer said the farmers of these chars have been living here by constructing houses, planting trees, digging ponds and cultivating crops on thousands of acres of land for a long time.
They survive by cultivating paddy and vegetables on the lands and farming fish in the ponds. Criminals loot their paddy and other crops and even grab their lands, leaving them paupers.
“The paddy has been planted on 75 hectares of land in theses areas and production is satisfactory,” said the officer.
He said: “I am very disappointed to know that influential people are involved in looting the crop. I hope all the relevant authorities should come forward to save the farmers.”
People of Monpura union said the ruling party men looted the crop on 12 acres of land. When contacted, the union council chairman Alauddin Haolader denied the allegation.
Sakuria UP chairman Shahriar Dipak Chowdhury was also alleged for looting the crop. But he denied the allegation.
Meanwhile, 1200 farmers of Mujibnagar union brought out a procession protesting the looting and submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner in this regard.
Charfashion upazila nirbahi officer Rezaul Karim confirmed the incident and said that they would take proper steps soon. The paddy growers have urged the civil and police administrations to set up police investigation centres in these char lands during harvesting time.
Moniruzzaman, superintendent of police said police camps would be set up in risky areas soon.
Deputy Commissioner Selim Reza said: “A Coast Guard outpost has been set up to avoid any untoward situation.”