Hindu family in Barishal alleges attempted land grab by college authorities

The family alleges that several people, using the name of Alhaj B N Khan Degree College, are trying to take over 29 decimals of their land and have also been threatening them. Members of the affected family held a press conference at the Barishal Press Club on Saturday noon, demanding a fair investigation and the return of their ancestral property. In a written statement on behalf of the family, Sanjay Chandra Das said that the 29 decimals of land and a pond, in Ward 4 of Uzirpur Municipality, were inherited from his grandfather Narayan Chandra Das, and that the family has held the property since 1959. Sanjay alleged that, using the college’s name, a group led by founders Mohammad Aziz Khan and Md Habib Khan is attempting to seize the property. The group allegedly includes governing body president Mohammad Nayan Mia, member Md Rafiqul Islam, Advocate Md Amir Hossain Mia and seven or eight unidentified others. He said that around 3pm on October 14, the opposing party began cleaning the pond on the disputed land. When the family objected, his uncle Amal Chandra Das and other family members were threatened. Sanjay said the family filed a written complaint with Uzirpur police over the incident. They had earlier lodged a general diary (GD) with the police on October 23, 2024, over the land dispute. Sanjay also alleged that, with the collusion of an official at the Barishal Regional Settlement Office, their land was removed from the records and merged with the other properties of B N Khan Degree College. He claimed the family received no notice during the final verification, after the objection and appeal stages had concluded. According to him, the land was carved out without their knowledge and added to the college’s other properties under Khatian No. 1542. Sanjay said a miscellaneous case (No. 1947/2026) over the matter is under way at the Barishal Regional Settlement Office, with a hearing scheduled for November 11. A separate case under Section 150 (No. 07/2026) is also pending at the Uzirpur Upazila Land Office. He said the family had also filed a civil suit (No. 14/2020) in 2020 at the Uzirpur Assistant Judge’s Court, seeking a permanent injunction to protect their ownership and possession. Witness testimony in that case is scheduled for November 19. In addition, he said a writ petition (No. 4892/2026) has been filed with the High Court over the property, and he claimed the court has issued a rule in response. The disputed land is in Uzirpur Mouza, with JL No. 92, SA Khatian Nos. 788 and 789, SA Plot No. 134, BS Khatian No. 1355 and BS Plot No. 1963. The area is 29 decimals. Sanjay Chandra Das said the family has submitted written complaints to various offices, including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, seeking the return of the land, safety for family members, and a fair investigation. Responding to the allegations, B N Khan College principal Rafiqul Islam said: “There has been no incident of anyone being threatened over the land here. According to the BS record of rights, the college authorities own this land, and land tax is being paid accordingly.” He said a case is ongoing in court on the matter, and the college authorities will take further action in line with the verdict. Barishal Deputy Commissioner Md Mamun Khandakar said the allegations would be properly and fairly investigated, and action would be taken accordingly.