The land of hundreds of farmers of Gosairhat in Shariatpur is being occupied by the khekods, and the influential gangs involved in the construction of fish enclosures are destroying the chilli fields. Already, the soil of the land has been cut and embanked with the veku (excavator) machine. Meanwhile, the affected poor farmers have demanded to close the fish enclosure due to the fear of losing their cropland. On the other hand, the poor farmers are going from door to door to escape from the grip of the farmers.
According to local sources, Ali Ashrab Bepari Kandi area of Kuchaipati union of Gosairhat upazila is a place on the banks of Meghna river. People here earn their living by fishing in the river and growing crops in the land. Their main crop is pepper. Where at least hundreds of farming families cultivate chillies and aus paddy. Ten thousand maunds of pepper and five thousand maunds of rice are produced in that land every year.
Recently, local influential Azizul Dhali and his son Motaleb Dhali took the initiative to fence the fish in that land. They have already taken possession of 10 acres of farmers’ crop land for fish farming and started cutting the soil at night. A huge embankment has been cut in the middle of the land. The influential circle is constantly threatening to beat up ordinary farmers if they oppose the issue.
Local farmer Mejbah Uddin Bepari said that Aizul Dhali and his sons are forcing the soil of Kaira land. We can’t do any farming anymore. I want to protect the land from the Prime Minister so that I can take my polapan and cultivate this land.
A farmer named Malek Kazi complained and said, “I cultivate pepper on my land and take my children with me and run the family.” Azizul Dhali is occupying this 56th century land and cutting the fish fence. How do we live now? I do not allow fish farming on my land.
Mosharraf Hossain, a local farmer, said that they are occupying the land at night and cutting the soil. He doesn’t listen even if he blocks it. In the middle of the fence, some people have taken possession of the land. And as a result of damming the soil, rainwater will accumulate in other lands. No more crops can be grown on these lands. We want to survive it.
When asked about the complaint, the accused Motaleb Dhali said that our land is low and waterlogged so we cannot grow crops. So I decided to cut the fence. Those whose land is in the middle of the fence were initially willing to cut the fence, but now they are not willing. So for now I have stopped soiling. If the farmers agree then I will make the fish cage, otherwise not.
A case is pending in the learned Additional District Magistrate’s Court Shariatpur in this regard.
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