Mother's grave faces bulldozer as fresh eviction threatens Purbachal victims

Fifty-year-old Kazi Mazharul Anwar stared silently at the two graves in his courtyard — one belonging to his mother and the other to his brother.

"Government land acquisition destroyed my grandfathers' graves in Purbachal to build plots," Mazharul said slowly. "Will my mother's grave suffer the same fate now?"

Mazharul, who once lived in Purbachal across generations, lost his ancestral homestead during a 1993 government land acquisition. Authorities flattened the family graves and turned the land into residential plots. Accepting nominal compensation, his family relocated to Fulbaria village in the Daudpur Union of Rupganj, Narayanganj.

Now, Mazharul and at least 200 other families across Fulbaria, Shimulia, Kuladi, and Brahmankhali mauzas face the threat of losing their homes for a second time. A state agency is preparing to acquire approximately 38.76 acres of land for a special project, threatening the homes, agricultural land, family graveyards, and livelihoods of over 1,000 residents.

During a spot visit on Saturday morning, an atmosphere of deep anxiety hung over the area. Residents questioned whether authorities would force them out of their homes once again.

Locals claimed that officials conducted a covert survey over the past month without holding public hearings or seeking community input. A land schedule signed by a senior official from the agency’s planning division confirms plans to acquire 38.76 acres across Raghurampur (19.21 acres), Brahmankhali (15.85 acres), and Kuladi (3.70 acres) mauzas.

"They evicted us from Purbachal once, and now they are trying to evict us again," said Sayem Bhuiyan, another affected resident. "Are we not human beings? Around 200 families live here, with over 100 graves and nearly 1,600 registered voters. Where will these people go?"

Mazharul Anwar expressed his desperation while standing near his mother's grave. "Are we citizens of this country or Rohingyas?" he asked. "If they remove us from here, how will I visit my mother's grave?"

The proposed acquisition also threatens the local economy, as most residents depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Farmers warned that nominal government compensation would leave them destitute and unable to purchase land elsewhere.

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Addressing the situation, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md Rayhan Kabir said on Saturday night that authorities follow specific legal procedures for land acquisition. "If affected residents inform us, we will raise the issue with the Ministry of Land and other relevant departments," Kabir said.

Rupganj Assistant Commissioner (Land) Farid Al Sohan confirmed that his office verified and submitted the land data to the deputy commissioner's office a month ago. He noted that the government holds the authority to acquire land while providing fixed compensation, adding that his office would investigate individual grievances upon receiving formal complaints.