Thirteen families from the Old Dhaka have accused dismissed minister Adul Latif Siddique of grabbing their land three years ago.
Around 50 people – including men, women and children – from these families formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday. They were also carrying banners and placards condemning Latif’s repressions.
Shova, a member of one of those families, said: “On July 5, 2011, Latif Siddique, along his gang, grabbed a total of 2.85-acre land at Obhoy Das Lane in Tikatuli. The land comprised a homesteads, other structures and some open space. He abused his power as a minister and used law enforcers to forcibly take our land.”
She narrated: “Latif and his men put up a wall around the land which is now being used as a parking terminal for S Alam Paribahan.”
She alleged that at the time of grabbing their land, Latif’s gang members evicted them from their home and looted gold ornaments and cash.
Referring to a writ petition that they had filed with the High Court and subsequent stay order against the grabbers’ illegal activities, Shova said: “We showed the HC order to Latif. But he completely ignored what the court had said and threw away the copy of the court order.
“Not just that, Latif and his men had been continuously threatening to kill us if we did not stop trying to get back out land...None of the authorities concerned have ever paid any heed to our distress call. Now we urge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Home Ministry and police to address our predicament,” Shova said.
Mokhlesur Rahman Babul, another participant of the human chain, told the Dhaka Tribune that the former minister had grabbed his land too that fell within that 2.85 acre land.
“Latif Siddique bought a 5.3-decimal land adjacent to my place from the Public Works Department. But, at the time of taking possession of his land, Latif and his gang members grabbed our land too,” he said.
In October, Latif was removed from the post of information and communication technology minister following widespread condemnation of his remarks on religious and political affairs at a programme in the USA.
He has not returned to the country since and several cases had already been filed against him on charges of hurting religious sentiments. He was also removed from his Awami League presidium post.
