An influential cabal in the village of Eraligul in Juri continues to ostracise a family by isolating them from the community for over a decade, taking their cue from a land dispute between two brothers, reports UNB.
Locals told our Moulvibazar correspondent that the 3-member family’s predicament stems from a longstanding clash between brothers Fatir Ali and Sharafat Ali over an 8-decimal plot of land.
In 2007, following mediation by relatives, Fatir moved into a house he built on the disputed land. Later, Sharafat Ali tried to wrest it away from Fatir by erecting a fence. When the brothers failed to resolve the matter between themselves, some local elders got involved to try and settle the dispute through a shalish, or arbitration meeting.Village leaders Aftab Ali, Ustar Ali, Abdul Latif and Samir Uddin were present at the shalish.
However, Fatir Ali alleged partiality on the part of the elders and left the meeting. He also submitted a written complaint with the police.From then on, the members of the shalish have rounded upon him and his family, deciding to ostracize the family of Fatir Ali in this connection.Even though the dispute between the two brothers was mitigated during a settlement survey seven years ago, the shalish leaders haven’t withdrawn from their position against Fatir.
Talking to UNB, Aftab Ali, Ustar Ali, Abdul Latif and Samir Uddin said they took the decision unanimously, as Fatir Ali and his wife had ‘disrespected’ the seniors who attended the arbitration meeting.
On that account Fatir Ali, his wife, and his daughter continue to be shunned by the village community in almost every aspect.Fatir even disclosed he has been using mosque of another village to say his prayers for the last 10 years. “No one of this village invites me to any social programme.”