Several families in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari have formed a human chain demanding the recovery of Teesta char land allegedly grabbed by influential groups.
The demonstration was held on Wednesday afternoon along the Teesta riverbank in Tapur Char area of Tepakharibari union, where more than 200 people gathered.
Participants accused a group of identified land grabbers, Abdul Motaleb Panchu, Monir Master, Rahim Badsha, Faruk and Alamgir, of illegally occupying 25–30 acres of char land over the past few years by forging documents.
Locals allege that Panchu and his associates have been using political influence within the Awami League to maintain control over the land.
Victims said they are regularly obstructed, threatened and assaulted when they try to enter their own legally owned land. Multiple attempts to resolve the issue locally have failed, leaving them no choice but to stage a protest.
Landowners Musa Bhandari, Mainuddin, Saijuddin and Niyat Ali said, “The land passed down from our forefathers is now in someone else’s possession. Whenever we go there, we face trouble. We no longer feel safe.”
Speakers demanded legal action against the encroachers, cancellation of the forged documents and immediate return of the occupied land to its rightful owners.
