Protesters on Friday formed a human chain condemning the attempt to evict more than a dozen families of Paharia, a national minority community, who have been living on a piece of land in Rajshahi city鈥檚 Mollapara area for over five decades.
Political leaders, rights activists and local residents joined the human chain in Mollapara, demanding intervention from the authorities against alleged threats from Sajjad Ali, who claims ownership of the land.
鈥業 was born and grew up here. I do not want to leave our homes. I request the government to ensure that we can live here peacefully,鈥� said a young girl from the community, reflecting the fear that has gripped the families.
The protest followed reports that Sajjad Ali had offered Tk 6 lakh per house as what residents described as 鈥榯oken compensation鈥� and set a September 7 deadline for them to vacate.
Adivasi Research Council chairman Nazrul Islam said that they would not accept any attempt to displace the Paharia families from the land where they had been living for 53 years.
Development worker Joseph Hansda said that their demand was very clear鈥攎ake sure that these people continued living in their homes without fear.
Rajshahi University professor Golam Sarwar, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal leader Shamsul Abedin, National Citizen Party leader Shamima Sultana, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad leaders Subhash Chandra Hembrom and Pradeep Lakra, and several cultural and youth activists also expressed solidarity with the community.
Meanwhile, the Paharia families lodged a written complaint with the Kashiadanga police on Thursday night seeking security.
In the complaint, they alleged that they were living in extreme fear and insecurity as Sajjad Ali had been threatening them with eviction.
Denying the allegations, Sajjad Ali told reporters about Friday noon that he did not threaten anyone.
鈥業 only wanted them to vacate peacefully. The land is mine, and I informed the land office. They have not given me any update, and I do not know what they are doing,鈥� he said.
Contacted, Kashiadanga police officer-in-charge Azizul Bari said that he summoned Sajjad Ali to the police station that very night after the Paharia families had lodged the written聽complaint.
鈥楽ajjad assured us that he would not harass them and that he would pursue the matter through legal procedures,鈥� he said, adding that there was no immediate threat to their security.