A local influential person is grabbing a piece of land, originally owned by a Hindu widow, at Shahitari village under Lalmonirhat Sadar municipality, defying the Municipality Shalish (arbitration) Board order given in June last year.

Fifty-five-year-old Subodini, widow of late Sudhir Chandra Barman and daughter of late Nitai Chandra Barman of the village, with his only son Sudhan Chandra in now living on others land at neighbouring Roypara village.

Subodini received the mutation papers of the 31 decimals of land, which she inherited from her mother late Makhodasa Bala, from Lalmonirhat Assistant Commissioner's (land) Office in November 2003.

"I have been paying taxes against the 31 decimals of land at the local office since I received the mutation documents in 2003, * said Subodini.

Abul Kalam, Tohshildar at Lalmonirhat Municipal Land Office, said they received taxes from Subodini as per the legal documents but they are not designated to recover any grabbed land.

On June 28 last year, Sadar Municipality Shalish (arbitrator) Board delivered judgement over the issue and declared Subodini as lone owner of the property, but the alleged grabber Majidul Haque Bakshi, 62, son of late Fazle Haque of the village, did not pay heed, said Azizur Rahman Tuhin, councillor ofWard no 4 ofthe municipality.

Sadar Municipality Mayor Reazul Islam Rintu said the arbitration board handed the widow all the documents and suggested her to file a case with the court

As Subodini did not have the ability to bear the expenditure of the court or any case she is knocking local community leaders seeking their help.

One of the community leaders Shamsuzzaman Bablu said villagers tried to settle the matter but the alleged grabber didn’t respond to their initiative despite several attempts.

When asked, Majidul Haque refuted the allegation brought against him and said he purchased the land from a local about 30 years ago.

"Without court's order I would not give a single inch of the property," he added.