Prime minister, come and see how Benazir grabbed land of minorities, says Rana Das Gupta

Bringing about allegations of grabbing hundreds of bighas of land of the Hindu community of Gopalganj against former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad general secretary Rana Das Gupta urged prime minister Sheikh Hasina to visit that area.

He said the people in that area are facing a serious economic crisis as the land of the people dependent on agriculture has been grabbed.

Rana Das Gupta made this remark while briefing the media on Friday evening after talking to the victims and visiting the Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park in Gopalganj owned by Benazir and his family members.

Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad leader said, "Honourable prime minister, the area is your home district. You come only once, you see, how Benazir Ahmed has grabbed land of minorities here. We demand and appeal that let the land be returned to those whose land has been grabbed."

Benazir Ahmed built the Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park on 621 bighas of land in Bairagitol upazila in Sadar upazila while he was the director general of Rapid Action Battalion from 2015 to 2020 and inspector general of police from 2020 to 2022.

Locals claimed members of Hindu community owned the lands and they were forced, threatened and tricked into selling their lands. A significant portion of the lands were even grabbed.

The ACC, however, opened probe following the media reports on Benazir’s wealth. Later, the court ordered to seize Benazir’s and his family’s properties including Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park.

Calling the area a Hindu majority area, Rana Das Gupta said Benazir has grabbed hundred bighas of land by force and threats. He has not only grabbed the land but also fenced the land with barbed wire so that none can enter the area.

Rana Das Gupta said the role Benazir Ahmed played as director general of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Inspector General of Police (IGP), has not only tarnished the image of the government but also the state.

He said, "The US imposed sanctions due to these people (Benazir and Aziz). Maybe we didn't know these matters during the imposition of sanction, as a result, we thought the US took steps against Bangladesh politically."

Criticising the statement of Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, Rana Das Gupta said, "Obaidul Quader said what Benazir and Aziz did, those are their personal matters. There is no scope to cover this saying that it is their personal affairs. Today, they should say how they (Benazir and Aziz) left the country while the cases are going on?"