Court Case Filed Against Outsider Land Grabbers for Forcefully Occupying Land, Destroying Homes, and Cutting Trees in Lama

Lama Correspondent

News Desk    |    ০৬:৩৫ পিএম, ২০২৫-০১-২০

In the Lama upazila of Bandarban, a case has been filed in the court regarding the forceful occupation of land, destruction of houses, and cutting of trees by land grabbers from outside the area. The land in question is located in the 306th Mouza of Faitong, with holding number AR/2340, a 5-acre third-class land. Ali Ahang had obtained this land through a settlement case (5407 of 1982/83) from the government. For many years, Mamatazul Islam, a senior lawyer in Chokoria and Lama Courts, has peacefully been in possession of the land with his family.

However, on Thursday (January 13-14), during the day, a group of hired outsider criminals attempted to forcefully take control of the land, cutting down trees and illegally occupying the property. For two days, they stole trees, but when the Faitong police team arrived at the scene, the land grabbers stopped their activities.

The land in question belongs to a group of land grabbers from Ward 7, who have been involved in destroying gardens, looting, and cutting down trees. On January 15, a case was filed at the Lama Court against 11 people for these actions. The court accepted the complaint and instructed that necessary actions be taken.

According to the complaint, the accused individuals are:Jalal Uddin alias Badsha (40), son of the late Abdul Nabi; Helal Uddin (35), son of the late Abdul Nabi; Mognama Para; Badiul Alam (50), son of Jafar Alam; Monwara Begum (45), wife of Badiul Alam; Jasim Uddin (30), son of Abu Taher; Kelsum Begum (25), wife of Jasim Uddin; Lokman (40), son of Ahmed Kabir; Zaker Hossain (55); son of Mojammel Hossain; Abdu Shukur (30); son of Dil Mohammad; Karim Dat (70); son of the late Nur Ahmed; Ziabul Hossain (40); son of Karim; along with 10-15 unidentified individuals.

The accused reportedly attacked the lawyer's home with various sharp weapons, iron rods, and sticks, claiming that the land was purchased by some of them and attempting to forcefully take possession.

Lawyer Mamatazul Islam stated, "I am the rightful owner of the land, acquired through a settlement case. After the settlement, I invested significant time and money to build a home and create a diverse garden with fruit and forest trees, which I have peacefully possessed with my family until now. Recently, the value of the land has increased, and with the growth of the trees, the accused, acting in collusion, have been attempting to take the land and trees for themselves."

Islam further explained that a few days ago, a group of 20–25 armed outsiders, including the accused, came to his house and destroyed the property, cutting down the trees. Several local people, who requested to remain anonymous, confirmed that the accused were outsiders, and they had witnessed them attacking Islam's property and cutting the trees during the day.

Attempts were made to contact the accused via phone, but they did not respond to calls, so no statements could be obtained. Lama Thana Officer-in-Charge Shahadat Hossain said that the matter will be investigated and necessary actions will be taken against the accused based on the investigation.