Illegally obstructing the construction of COAST Foundation training center in Char Manika Union of Char Fasson UpazilaCOAST Foundation seeks legal action against organizational defamation and illegal land grabbing attempts

COAST Foundation has alleged that a group of individuals has been repeatedly disrupting development activities on its legally purchased land in Char Manika Union under Char Fesson Upazila of Bhola district.

It also claimed that attempts are being made to unlawfully occupy the land and spread misleading and defamatory information against the organization and its staff.

COAST Foundation's Regional Team Leader Rashida Begum revealed this in a press conference held at COAST Char Fassion Center in Bhola on 7th May (Thursday).

In the event; she said that the 69 decimals of land which is situated close to the Gonoshasthaya area in Char Manika Union, were legally purchased by the organization in 2021 for BDT 32 Lakh. Before the purchase, the land had reportedly been allocated by the Church of Bangladesh for long-term use.

"The situation has been arising since 18 April 2026, when COAST Foundation started to construct a “COAST Resource and Pesticide Demonstration & Training Center” on the land with its own financing. The proposed center is expected to contribute to local capacity building, skills development, and sustainable livelihood improvement for adjacent communities," she added.

She also claimed that since the beginning, certain individuals and groups have intentionally created repeated obstacles to the construction work by obstructing activities, attempting to seize the land, conducting defamatory campaigns, and spreading misleading information on social media.

They had previously been involved in illegal land occupation activities as well. In continuation of this, on 6 May 2026, they organized a human chain, rally and circulated offensive video content with the intention of damaging the reputation of the COAST Foundation.

Among them, Babul Patowary, Said Farazi, Mamun Khan, Rafiq Farazi, Ruhul Amin, Shaheen, Hashem, Farid and others are often hampering the normal activities of the COAST Foundation. 

On 19 April 2026, a General Diary (GD) was filed on behalf of COAST Foundation at Dakshin Aicha Police Station in this regard. The most crucial point is that during the discussions held in the presence of local administration officials, the opposing side totally failed to produce any valid ownership documents or legal evidence concerning the disputed land.

The press conference was moderated by COAST Foundation's Assistant Director Md. Shahabuddin. He mentioned that in 1970, when the donor agency Church Bangladesh promised to provide poor families with homestead plots using donor funds. Out of the 4 acres of land under Church Bangladesh, 69 decimals were sold. For the remaining 3 acres and 31 decimals, COAST Foundation had pledged to provide deeds to the families living in the colony at its own expense.

However, this promise was never fulfilled by Church Bangladesh. Instead, through Said Farazi; a Resident Representative of Charge Bangladesh, those unresolved resources of the colony, including fish from the pond, coconuts from the trees, large timber, and homestead plots, were sold off. The received amount was divided among Church Bangladesh’s representative Shankar Babu, Said Farazi and others. At present, Said Farazi continues to extort money from residents by selling plots in various ways.

Rashida Begum, read out the statement at the press conference. She alleged that the opponent, along with his relatives and some local miscreants, has been spreading false propaganda and slander against COAST’s female colleagues.

According to her, their main intention is to infiltrate COAST’s premises and set up shops on government land.

COAST Foundation's Regional Coordinator of Microfinance Programs; Md. Zahir Uddin stated that Said Farazi and his group members repeatedly creates obstacles to COAST’s work, raising different issues at different times, despite having no valid documentation to support his claims.

In it's conclusionary statement; COAST Foundation wants to give emphasis on that it didn’t illegally acquire any individual’s land. It always respects the rule of law and administrative authorities.

It also stated that legal measures against obstruction and defamatory activities will continue.

COAST Foundation called upon the concerned authorities to take necessary legal actions against them who are hindering COAST’s legal development activities, ensure the security, stop defamatory & misleading campaigns and create an enabling environment for uninterrupted development initiatives.

It also mentioned that concerned authorities or interested parties may inspect the relevant documents at the COAST Char Fesson center upon request.

The organization expressed hope that the issue could be resolved through administrative cooperation and the rule of law. At the end, it reaffirmed its commitment to continuing development and welfare activities for local communities.

Khokon Chandra Shil, Program Coordinator, COAST Foundation, and Md. Maksudur Rahman, Technical Officer, COAST Foundation were also present at the event.