Wild claims on land weaken communal harmony in Duttapukur

Hindu-Muslim scuffle over a stretch of land in the village of Duttapukur Chaltaberia within Duttapukur 2 No. Gram Panchayat and under the jurisdiction of Duttapukur police station in the district of 24 Paraganas (North) has become a cause of concern by now and the administration is found to apprehend more ominous developments. It is to be noted, the dispute remains over a 15 cottah land (1 cottah = 720 sq. ft.) in an area (within the village) populated by 300 Hindu families, wretched refugees from Bhola and Barisal districts in Bangladesh.  There are almost 60 Muslim families in the same area but around Chaltaberia Uttarpara located at 500 meter away from the disputed site.

Now, Muslims are asserting that the same 15 cottah of land belongs to them and it’s nothing but an Islamic graveyard. Nevertheless, another burial ground of Muslims is located in the environs, used commonly and contains a mosque as well. But these basic facts failed to bring sanity and on January 13 several Muslims were witnessed to construct a boundary wall around the site infuriating local Hindus. Trouble started on January 14 in the morning owing to resumption of the project under alleged protective cover of 200 Muslim individuals. Hindus protested and as a part of it submitted protest letters to both Duttapakur Police Station and Gram Panchayat Pradhan. But it was rejected almost instantly. 

Hindus are in fright at the moment and audaciousness of neighboring Muslims with posture of local administration have dampened their spirit and are wondering whether they would be evicted from this place also. Well, a few Hindu youths have decided to defy this pernicious diktat come what may and go on with struggle.   As per latest reports, today in the morning (January 14), Hindus fought back with might leading to discontinuation of the project. Both communities have been asked to visit the local police station for a truce.

Hindu-Muslim scuffle over a stretch of land in the village of Duttapukur Chaltaberia within Duttapukur 2 No. Gram Panchayat and under the jurisdiction of Duttapukur police station in the district of 24 Paraganas (North) has become a cause of concern by now and the administration is found to apprehend more ominous developments. It is to be noted, the dispute remains over a 15 cottah land (1 cottah = 720 sq. ft.) in an area (within the village) populated by 300 Hindu families, wretched refugees from Bhola and Barisal districts in Bangladesh.  There are almost 60 Muslim families in the same area but around Chaltaberia Uttarpara located at 500 meter away from the disputed site.

Now, Muslims are asserting that the same 15 cottah of land belongs to them and it’s nothing but an Islamic graveyard. Nevertheless, another burial ground of Muslims is located in the environs, used commonly and contains a mosque as well. But these basic facts failed to bring sanity and on January 13 several Muslims were witnessed to construct a boundary wall around the site infuriating local Hindus. Trouble started on January 14 in the morning owing to resumption of the project under alleged protective cover of 200 Muslim individuals. Hindus protested and as a part of it submitted protest letters to both Duttapakur Police Station and Gram Panchayat Pradhan. But it was rejected almost instantly. 

Hindus are in fright at the moment and audaciousness of neighboring Muslims with posture of local administration have dampened their spirit and are wondering whether they would be evicted from this place also. Well, a few Hindu youths have decided to defy this pernicious diktat come what may and go on with struggle.   As per latest reports, today in the morning (January 14), Hindus fought back with might leading to discontinuation of the project. Both communities have been asked to visit the local police station for a truce.