Locals Demand Withdrawal of Shimulia Port Official Over Alleged Land Grab and Assault on Students

A large human chain was formed by residents of Shimulia Ranigaon in Louhajang, Munshiganj, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Shimulia Mawa Zone Port Official and the protection of their ancestral homes and land.

Human chain program at newly risen Padma Char (sandbar) in the Ranigaon area of Louhajang Upazila, Munshiganj on Friday at 4 pm. Thousands of men and women, including farmers and people from various professions, joined the protest.

Central BNP National Executive Committee Vice Chairman Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon and former Finance Secretary of Louhajang Upazila BNP Sheikh Md. Kamal Hossain also spoke in support of the demonstrators.

The protestors leveled serious allegations against the BIWTA's Shimulia Mawa Zone Port Officer, Newaz Md. Khan: The official is accused of dredging the Padma and attempting to sell the newly raised char land that locals claim is part of their ancestral village. When locals discovered the attempt and protested, the accused port officer allegedly beat up two local school students.

Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon issued a stern warning, demanding that the accused port official be withdrawn and face disciplinary action by next Monday. Failure to comply would result in the BNP surrounding the port office.

Protesters demanded an immediate investigation into the attack on the students, speedy punishment of the culprits, dismissal of the port official, and effective measures to protect their ancestral village land and houses.

They also called for strict action against the dredging sand syndicate and an end to extortion and harassment of common people in the name of illegal leases at the neighboring Shimulia Ghat.

The disputed char land in the middle of the Padma was historically the site of Ranigaon village, used for settlement and agriculture. About 40 years ago, the village was submerged due to Padma river erosion. A sandbar (char) reappeared in the area two years ago, which the BIWTA port official is now allegedly trying to seize.