A humanitarian tragedy unfolded in Babudaying village under Godagari upazila of Rajshahi, where five families belonging to the Kol indigenous community were evicted on Monday afternoon under a local court order. Their homes—built over two decades ago—were demolished by an excavator, leaving dozens of men, women, and children homeless overnight.

Families Left to Sleep Under Bamboo Thickets

Witnesses describe the scene as “heartbreaking.” After their homes were flattened, the families—each consisting of about 15–20 members—took shelter under a bamboo grove nearby. The remains of their tin-roofed huts lie scattered in the dirt, household items buried beneath heaps of earth.

“We begged for half an hour to collect our belongings,” said Rumali Hasda, an elderly woman whose home was destroyed. “They did not even give us that. Everything we owned is under the rubble.”

Her grandson Zimail Saren, a small child, was seen crying for food as his family huddled under makeshift plastic sheets. “We have nowhere to go, and nothing to eat,” said Sanatan Saren, another evicted man, his voice breaking.

A Dispute Over ‘Khas Land’

According to the victims, they have lived on the land for more than 25 years, believing it to be khas land (public land). However, relatives of one Nazrul Islam Alomgir filed a lawsuit claiming private ownership. Following the court’s verdict, authorities executed an eviction order.

Officials from the district court, led by Nazir Biswajit Ghosh, said the families were asked to negotiate with the claimant but failed to reach an agreement. “We had no option but to execute the court’s order,” Ghosh stated. “Possession of the land has been handed over to the claimant.”

Local Administration Denies Prior Knowledge

The Upazila Executive Officer (UNO), Faisal Ahmed, claimed that he was not informed beforehand about the eviction drive. “I only came to know after it had happened,” he said. “I have instructed the local Union Parishad chairman to arrange temporary shelter and humanitarian support for the evicted families.”

Experts Condemn the Eviction

Human rights organizations and indigenous rights activists have condemned the incident, calling it a blatant disregard for the basic rights of marginalized ethnic groups.

“This eviction violates not only humanitarian norms but also Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting ethnic minorities,” said a Dhaka-based legal activist. “Even if a court order exists, due process requires adequate notice, relocation, and rehabilitation measures—which were clearly absent here.”

The Larger Context: Indigenous Land Rights at Risk

Land disputes involving indigenous and marginalized rural communities are a recurring issue in northern Bangladesh. Most of these families live without formal land titles, relying on ancestral occupancy or verbal recognition from local administrations.

Over the past decade, land-grabbing and eviction drives have displaced dozens of indigenous families in Rajshahi, Dinajpur, and Naogaon districts. While Bangladesh’s Constitution promises equal rights for all citizens, indigenous groups continue to face structural inequality and limited access to justice.

A Cry for Justice

As night fell on Babudaying village, the five families—hungry, exhausted, and traumatized—curled up under bamboo leaves and torn plastic sheets. Their only possessions: shattered utensils and memories of homes now erased.

“Where will we go now?” whispered Rumali Hasda, clutching her grandchild. “The land was our life. Now even the sky feels taken away from us.”