Jamaat Chief Accused of Seizing Temple Land in Pirojpur for Rice Cultivation Since August 5

❐ Staff correspondent

Local Jamaat leader Md. Shafiqul Islam Howlader is cultivating paddy by occupying 42 acres of land belonging to a nearly 60-year-old temple in Nesarabad, Pirojpur. He is serving as the ward Jamaat Ameer.

The victims said that while the case regarding the land was pending in the court, he took possession of the land and started cultivating it after August 5, 2024. This has disrupted the long-standing religious rituals and ceremonies of the traditional religion. The landowner’s family members and locals have demanded that the temple land be recovered and worship services be resumed there.

According to local sources, there is 42 hundred acres of land in the name of Dakshinpara Sarbajanin Sheetala Mandir in Samudaykathi Union of Nesarabad Upazila. The land has dag number 952, khatian number 130. Various religious rituals including Sheetala Puja have been taking place on this land for decades. The victims said that the land is also recorded in the names of eight partners in the latest BS record.

They allege that Shafiqul Islam Howlader took possession of the land after August 5, 2024, based on an unregistered mortgage agreement with the participation of one of the eight partners. The partner concerned is currently residing in India. Since then, he has been cultivating paddy on the land. The victims said that a case is ongoing in the court regarding the ownership and possession of the land.

Manoj Biswas, son of landowner Nani Lal Biswas, said that according to the latest BS records, the land is recorded in the names of eight partners. Shafiqul Islam Howlader has filed a case against them by showing an unregistered mortgage agreement. While the case is ongoing, he is occupying the land and cultivating paddy.

He said that their ancestors have been worshipping Shitala on that land for decades. He demanded that the land be recovered and worshipped as before.

Local UP member Suman Aich said that he has been seeing Sheetala Puja being performed on that land since childhood.

However, after August 5, local Jamaat leader Shafiqul Islam Howlader was accused of grabbing the land. Suman Aich alleged that he was avoiding discussions despite being offered the actual documents.

According to him, such a situation is not desirable regarding land used for religious purposes by the Hindu community.

When contacted to inquire about Shafiqul Islam Howlader’s statement regarding the allegations, he refused to speak on camera. He did not answer the phone even though his mobile number was called several times.

Samudaykathi Union Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Md. Abu Hanif said, Shafiqul Islam is serving as the Amir of Ward No. 1 Jamaat of Hawlader Union. However, the land-related issue is his personal matter. The party will not take responsibility if someone seizes land by abusing his power.

He also commented that Jamaat-e-Islami never condones injustice.

Prolay Mondal, member secretary of the Pirojpur district branch of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front, said they went to the spot after receiving allegations of land grabbing, vandalism of religious establishments and intimidation of minorities in Samudya Kathi. He said that although initiatives were taken to resolve the problem, the accused Shafiqul Islam Howlader did not respond.

The Prolay Mondal demanded a speedy resolution of land disputes through legal processes.