Bangladesh

Escalating clashes over char occupation in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram

Photo: STAR

Clashes are regularly occurring in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram over the occupation of chars that have emerged in the riverbeds. In the last 10 days, 15 clashes have taken place at 12 chars, leading to one fatality and more than one hundred injuries.

The injured are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, and 11 cases have been filed at the police stations and courts in the two districts related to these incidents.

The deceased has been identified as Darbesh Ali, 51, of Ulipur upazila of Kurigram. He was killed during a clash over the occupation of Karpura char, which emerged at the mouth of the Teesta river in Daldaliya Union on January 5. This clash resulted in 20 injuries.

Locals have reported that arable lands merged into the rivers typically emerge as chars after 15 to 20 years. The government becomes the owner of most chars, while some belong to private landowners. When new chars appear, influential individuals often use their power to seize control, marking the chars with red flags.

Mizanur Rahman, a former union parishad member from Ashtamir Char on the Brahmaputra riverbed in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram, said while clashes over char land occurred in previous years, their frequency and intensity have increased.

The newly emerged chars are yielding bumper crops, including maize, attracting more competition for control. He said in recent days, 30 individuals have been injured in three clashes in his char, and tensions remain high.

Nayeb Ali, a farmer from the Char Kharua area of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said influential individuals are taking control of the char on the Dharla riverbed by marking it with red flags. "Even legitimate landowners feel unsafe entering the area. The char is always under the control of influential people. We farmers are very helpless," he said.

Monowar Hossain, a farmer from Char Gaddimari in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat, said they have been involved in three clashes over control of the char on the Teesta riverbed, resulting in 25 injuries from both groups. "Currently, the char that has risen is under our possession," he added.Zillur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ulipur Police Station in Kurigram, said a murder case has been filed at the police station concerning the death of the individual killed during the char occupation attempt. Due to the challenging communication in these areas, police find it difficult to control the clashes, he said.

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Escalating clashes over char occupation in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram

Photo: STAR

Clashes are regularly occurring in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram over the occupation of chars that have emerged in the riverbeds. In the last 10 days, 15 clashes have taken place at 12 chars, leading to one fatality and more than one hundred injuries.

The injured are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, and 11 cases have been filed at the police stations and courts in the two districts related to these incidents.

The deceased has been identified as Darbesh Ali, 51, of Ulipur upazila of Kurigram. He was killed during a clash over the occupation of Karpura char, which emerged at the mouth of the Teesta river in Daldaliya Union on January 5. This clash resulted in 20 injuries.

Locals have reported that arable lands merged into the rivers typically emerge as chars after 15 to 20 years. The government becomes the owner of most chars, while some belong to private landowners. When new chars appear, influential individuals often use their power to seize control, marking the chars with red flags.

Mizanur Rahman, a former union parishad member from Ashtamir Char on the Brahmaputra riverbed in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram, said while clashes over char land occurred in previous years, their frequency and intensity have increased.

The newly emerged chars are yielding bumper crops, including maize, attracting more competition for control. He said in recent days, 30 individuals have been injured in three clashes in his char, and tensions remain high.

Nayeb Ali, a farmer from the Char Kharua area of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said influential individuals are taking control of the char on the Dharla riverbed by marking it with red flags. "Even legitimate landowners feel unsafe entering the area. The char is always under the control of influential people. We farmers are very helpless," he said.

Monowar Hossain, a farmer from Char Gaddimari in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat, said they have been involved in three clashes over control of the char on the Teesta riverbed, resulting in 25 injuries from both groups. "Currently, the char that has risen is under our possession," he added.Zillur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ulipur Police Station in Kurigram, said a murder case has been filed at the police station concerning the death of the individual killed during the char occupation attempt. Due to the challenging communication in these areas, police find it difficult to control the clashes, he said.

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