In the flooded haors of Sunamganj’s Dirai upazila, farmers are facing a new crisis as submerged paddy fields begin to re-emerge after days of heavy rain and waterlogging – only for parts of the remaining harvest to allegedly be taken by people from neighbouring villages.
As water levels gradually recede in Bharam Haor, submerged ripe paddy is floating back to the surface. But local farmers say they are unable to recover their crops before groups of people arrive by boat and cut the standing paddy from their fields.
Farmers from Bhanga Dhor and Daiyargao villages alleged that hundreds of boats entered the haor from nearby areas, including Noagaon-Santoshpur, Bausi and Chandrapur, and harvested paddy from flooded land.
“Most of our paddy has already been destroyed by floodwater. Now whatever is coming up is being taken away by others,” said Babul Das, a local union parishad member.
Another villager, Haribal Das, said attempts to stop the harvesting have failed. “We tried to resist, but they are not listening,” he said.
Locals said police conducted patrols in the area after receiving complaints, but those involved often fled upon seeing law enforcement.
Sub-inspector Mahmudul Haque Masum said police had spoken with local representatives and were considering public announcements through mosque loudspeakers to prevent harvesting without clear land boundary identification.
“Since water has submerged the field boundaries, many people are crossing into others’ land unknowingly or otherwise to harvest paddy,” he said.
Dirai police station officer-in-charge Enamul Haque Chowdhury said police had visited the area after reports of the incidents.
Farmers in the haor region say their already flood-hit harvest is now under further threat, leaving many with little or no return from months of cultivation.
