On 21 June 2023 at 11 O’clock in front of Dashmina Upazila office in the organization of North Char Shahjalal landless families with the cooperation of the Bangladesh Krishok Federation and the Bangladesh Kishani Sabha. Coming by trawlers, hundreds of landless men and women of North Charshahjalal Mouja, No.7 Char Borhan Union, No.9 Ward of Dashmina Upazila rallied.

A memorandum containing demands from the rally was submitted to Patuakhali District Commissioner through Dasmina Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Prime Minister and various land related departments.

Abdul Aziz, Chairman of Dashmina Upazila Parishad, spoke in solidarity with the rally chaired by North Char Shahjalal landless leader Abdur Razzak and conducted by landless leader Maqbul Hossain. Upazila Vice Chairman Nasir Palawan was also present. Comrade Badrul Alam, President of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Krishok Federation spoke as the chief guest. Bangladesh Krishok Federation General Secretary Zayed Iqbal Khan, Assistant General Secretary Abdus Sattar Hawlader, Barisal District Committee President Sukkur Ahmed, General Secretary Sanjeev Barman Singh, Bangladesh Kishani Sabha Barisal District Leader Nahar Parveen Runu, Shahinur Akhter also spoke as special guests.

The rally was also addressed by Landless Leader Abdul Barek Sardar, Abdul Khalek Sardar, Mokhles Uddin, Khokon Munshi, Arshad Talukder, Sohohrab Hossain Howladar, Landless Leader Manju Begum, Beauty Begum, Kulsum Begum, among others.

At the end of the rally, a procession circumambulates the various roads of Dashmina. The speakers from the rally immediately demanded to cancel the fake settlement created with the help of some dishonest officials and employees and to provide a settlement to the real landless people living in Char. They expressed hope in the speech that, by resolving the crisis created due to fake settlements, the Deputy Commissioner will take prompt action and play a kind role in maintaining peace and order in North Charshahjalal.

Bangladesh Krishok Federation President Comrade Badrul Alam said in his speech that there are more than 50 lakh acres of Khas land in the country. In order to protect the rights of the landless to this land, the Agricultural Land Settlement and Management Committee should be activated in the entire country and necessary measures should be taken. He also said that the land is the source of people’s livelihood. Land guarantees food sovereignty for the people. Therefore, no corruption and manipulation of land will be tolerated. All kinds of land irregularities should be stopped through strong movement across the country. He also called for a strong land movement to demand food sovereignty nationwide.

Claims mentioned in the memorandum:

1) Fake settlement on North Char Shahjalal Khasland should be cancelled.

2) Settlement should be given among the genuine landless families living in Chars for 31 years.

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Maqbul Hossain
Landless family of North Char Shahjalal