Allegations of 3 bighas of paddy fields being destroyed by poisoning due to land dispute

There have been allegations of poisoning a 3-bigha paddy field planted in Godagari Upazila of Rajshahi due to a land dispute and an ongoing court case.

In this incident, the victim, sharecropper Rafiqul Islam, has filed a general diary (GD No. 578, date: 12-09-2026) with Godagari Police Station, mentioning the names of four people.

According to the complaint, Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Talai village, had been peacefully cultivating 1.99 acres of land in Talai Mouza (J.L. No. 326 RS, proposed Khatian 280/1, RS. Dag 2199) of Godagari Upazila for a long time, taking a share from the original owner, Alhaj Abu Bakkar Ali.

Regarding the said land, Asadul Islam (60) filed a case 62 P/2025 (Godagari) in the learned Additional District Magistrate Court of Rajshahi, which is ongoing. Besides, there is a case No. 1042 P/2025 in the Senior Judicial Magistrate-3, Godagari, Rajshahi.

On the other hand, on 30/10/1981, Salim Sardar, Patani Sardarni and Jogen Sardar were granted power of attorney document No. 22827 for the maintenance, upkeep etc. of the defendant land and other lands – which was cancelled on 06/07/1987 when Salim died as per section (3) (f) of the Power of Attorney Act. However, one Abdur Rashid and deceased Zainuddin, by concealing false and true information, registered 3.13 acres of land including the defendant land on 03-01-1990 on the basis of deed 80/1990.

The complaint states that on September 12, 2026, at 10:00 am, defendants Md. Asadul (60), Mujibur Rahman (50), Abdur Rashid (60) and Md. Khayer (55) illegally entered the land. They used weed killer poison on the 3 bigha paddy field planted by sharecropper Rafiqul Islam and destroyed the paddy plants.

The GD states that when he tried to stop him, the defendants abused him in foul language, beat him with sticks and threatened to kill him. Locals Md. Shafiq, Saiful Islam and Mr. Subul, among others, are said to have witnessed the incident.

According to the records, Alhaj Md. Abubakkar Ali purchased 1.99 acres of land from Abdul Jabbar on May 17, 1974 through document no. 15455/33187. On 21-10-1976, he had 22696 DCR. Original Namjari (name cancellation) and has been maintaining the holding by paying rent till 2026-27 and has been giving it to him in possession and share cultivation for 52 years.

After the incident, the victim, a sharecropper farmer, filed a written general diary with Godagari Police Station for legal security. Godagari Police Station said that the complaint is under investigation.