“Will put CM’s name on house signboard if land is returned”: Retired CRPF personnel appeals to Himanta Biswa Sarma

A retired CRPF personnel from Kashipur Part-II in Assam’s Cachar district has appealed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for intervention, alleging that his 14 kathas of land have been encroached upon and that repeated complaints to the authorities have failed to secure justice.

Farij Uddin Barbhuiya, who says he has been pursuing the matter for a long time, alleged that he has made several visits to administrative and police offices but has yet to receive any effective relief.

According to Barbhuiya, his house was demolished a few years ago during work on the Bharatmala project, following which he purchased 14 kathas of land in the Kashipur area. He alleged that a man identified as Rabir Hussain Laskar, alias Lal, was entrusted with looking after the property.

Barbhuiya further alleged that Lal had demanded Rs 1 lakh from his son in return for taking care of the land, and that the amount was paid.

However, after his son died, workers engaged in work on the land were allegedly threatened with a machete and forced to leave. Barbhuiya accused Lal of subsequently encroaching upon the property.

He claimed that despite filing a police complaint, no effective action had been taken. Speaking at a recent press conference, Barbhuiya said he had approached several senior police officials, including the Deputy Inspector General and the Cachar Superintendent of Police, but had received no resolution.

Barbhuiya retired from the CRPF in 1989 after serving the country for several years. He currently lives with his wife and three grandchildren and says his age and declining physical strength have made it increasingly difficult for him to pursue the matter.

Appealing directly to the Chief Minister, he urged the government to help him recover his land. In an emotional statement, he said that if he gets his property back, he would put up a signboard at his house bearing the Chief Minister’s name.