25 Hindu families in Narail regain road access after 9-day 'wall blockade'

The blockade at Malopara in Lakshmipasha village was cleared on Wednesday morning following a marathon mediation meeting involving the district administration, police, and the opposing landowners. “The long-standing dispute over the boundary wall has been settled peacefully,” said Additional District Magistrate Linkon Biswas on Friday. He expressed hope that the move would restore communal harmony and end the suffering of the local residents. The crisis began on Apr 16, when Dedar-e-Elahi and his associates began constructing a wall on a plot of land that serves as the only entry and exit point for the 25 families. By the time the wall was completed, the neighbourhood was entirely cut off from the main road. Some men and children used bamboo ladders to scale the wall to reach work and schools, but women, and the elderly remained trapped. “I couldn't take my van out to work for days. We sat at home with no way to earn a living,” said Dhruba Biswas, a local van driver. He lamented that the community felt targeted due to their minority status. Another resident, Swapna Biswas, noted that many children were unable to attend school during the blockade. The administration intervened after the issue gained traction in the media and social networks on Apr 18. A reconciliation meeting was finally held on Tuesday. The meeting, which lasted from 4pm until 9:30pm, brought together the fishing community representatives and Elahi’s side. They eventually reached a consensus to reopen the path. The fishermen claim the six-decimal path has been used since the British era and is recorded as a government road in official land records. This was the third time the path had been blocked in recent years, requiring administrative action each time to restore access. Elahi defended his actions, claiming the land in question was his private property and not part of any ongoing litigation. He argued that the families had an alternative 10-foot-wide path through a school field. He claimed the "minority tag" was being used intentionally against him, though he ultimately agreed to abide by the administration's decision to remove the wall. "We were living a nightmare. We are deeply grateful to the administration for giving us our road back," said an emotional Sushanto Biswas.