Desk report :

A group of influential people have been accused of looting fish cultivated for the mosque development fund in Anora Guchchagram of Kalai upazila of Joypurhat.

On Wednesday (October 8) morning, a group of 20-25 people led by Zakaria Hossain, president of the ward number 4 volunteer league of the municipality, allegedly took away at least 10 maunds of fish from the pond of the mosque committee, according to local sources.

According to local sources, fish farming was started three months ago in the pond named 'Chanral' in Anora Guchchagram for the purpose of the mosque development fund. The villagers released fry of fish species like Rui, Mrigel, Hungry, Katla and Silver Carp worth about 50 thousand taka. The fish were growing with regular feeding and care. But on Wednesday morning, it was alleged that a group of people led by Zakaria Hossain suddenly lowered a fisherman into the pond and caught the fish.

Mosque imam Chanowar Hossain said, "After returning home after Fajr prayers, I saw Khorshed, Zakaria, Ripon, Moja, Iqbal and many others fishing in our pond. Nothing could be done even after stopping them. They forcibly took away fish worth at least 40-50 thousand taka."

Local woman Shirina Akhter said, "My husband Saidur Rahman and the devotees of Guchchagram cultivated fish in the pond for the development of the mosque. But some people want to seize the pond using political influence. Today they have taken all the fish by putting them in jail."

Villagers Salma Begum, Amicha Bibi, Tairul Islam, Bobby Begum and many others have made the same complaint.

Locals said that the 'Chanral Pond' is basically a government (VP) pond. In 2024, the then president of Kalai Upazila Jubo League, Sanowar Hossain Chana, leased it. After the political situation in the country changed on August 5 last year, he donated the pond to the Anora Guchchagram Jame Masjid Committee. Since then, the mosque committee has been maintaining the pond and cultivating fish.

Mosque Committee President Md. Saidul Islam said, "We have all the legal documents including the DCR of the pond. It is the sacred property of the mosque. We were cultivating it together with the people of the village. However, on Wednesday morning, a group of people led by Zakaria forcibly captured 10-15 maunds of fish. We want a fair trial."

Although attempts were made to contact the accused Zakaria Hossain's mobile number several times, he did not receive the call.

Kalai Police Station OC Zahid Hossain said in this regard, "We are aware of the incident. Currently, the situation is calm. However, we have not received a written complaint yet. If we receive a complaint, we will investigate and take legal action."

Kalai Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Iftekar Rahman said, "That pond is a VP pond, which was leased in the name of a person named Sanwar Hossain from 1431 to 1433. According to the law, he cannot transfer it to anyone else. However, if the situation becomes chaotic, the administration will take action.’

There is extreme disappointment and anger in the entire village of Guchchagram over this incident. The villagers of Guchchagram demand that the administration take swift and strict action against those who are obstructing the development of religious institutions and looting the property of the mosque.