A young Bangladeshi farmer was killed while protesting illegal pond excavation, exposing political land exploitation, environmental damage and growing risks faced by rural communities defending farmland and food security.
Young farmer Ahmed Zubayer, 23, was killed on 17 December in Mohanpur Upazila, Rajshahi, northern Bangladesh. He was run over by an excavator while protesting illegal pond digging on farmland. Water scarcity and the climate crisis in the Barind region, a drought-prone area in northwestern Bangladesh, have increased tensions over land and water.
Zubayer was a dedicated farmer who gave his life defending farmland. His goal was to stop illegal pond digging, which threatens food security, water management and soil fertility. In this region, absentee landowners often exploit farmland for profit. They take cash payments instead of sharing crops with local farmers. When crops fail due to extreme weather, absentee owners benefit while local farmers suffer.
Gawhar Naeem Wara, a Bangladeshi researcher and commentator, said illegal pond excavation has serious environmental and social consequences. Fertile land is lost, reducing rice, vegetable and other crop production. Groundwater levels may drop, waterlogging can damage nearby crops and soil quality deteriorates. Transforming farmland into ponds also reduces biodiversity. Chemicals used in fish farming pollute soil and water.
On the night of the incident, excavator machinery was secretly brought to Bara Palsha village to dig a pond on the farmland. Villagers were alerted by announcements from the local mosque muezzin.
Zubayer, leading seven to eight villagers, protested the excavation. The excavator operator, Abdul Hamid, moved the machine aggressively. Zubayer fell and was crushed under the excavator, dying instantly. Villagers detained the driver and set the machine on fire.
The project’s organizer, Dhurail Union BNP Vice Secretary Anisuzzaman, also known as Bakul, fled the scene on a motorcycle, which villagers later burned. BNP refers to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, one of the country’s two major political parties.
Zubayer’s father filed a murder case against seven named individuals and 10 to 15 unidentified suspects. Some are local BNP leaders. While Hamid is in custody, the other suspects remain at large. Police said they are tracking them across the country and that political affiliation will not protect anyone from prosecution.
Investigations suggest a local syndicate, allegedly led by BNP-affiliated actors, has been illegally digging ponds across Mohanpur for the past 18 months. Farmers said access to pond digging requires paying fees to the syndicate. Refusing can result in threats or violence. Digging a single pond of 15 to 20 bighas, about 5 to 7 acres, can cost 500,000 to 700,000 Bangladeshi taka, roughly 4,000 to 5,500 US dollars.
Atikur Rahman Atik, a local youth leader, said Zubayer’s death temporarily stopped pond digging in Bara Palsha. But illegal excavation continues elsewhere, destroying farmland and threatening local food security. Authorities confirmed they are monitoring illegal pond digging and warned that those responsible for Zubayer’s death would face justice.
The killing has caused outrage and fear among villagers, who say they feel unsafe because of politically connected actors. Activists, including Sohanur Rahman, stressed the need for stronger protection for citizens opposing illegal land exploitation and stricter enforcement of laws.
Zubayer’s actions showed the courage of ordinary citizens standing up against entrenched power. He challenged absentee landowners and political actors exploiting farmland, leaving local farmers burdened and dispossessed. His death highlights the risks rural communities face when defending land and livelihoods.
Illegal pond digging permanently destroys farmland, reduces crop production and threatens local food security. It lowers groundwater levels, causes waterlogging and deteriorates soil quality. Biodiversity is reduced and chemicals used in fish farming pollute water and soil. Nearby farmers lose livelihoods, disputes arise and marginal cultivators risk unemployment.
Unpermitted pond excavation violates Bangladesh’s land and soil management laws. Transparent enforcement, accountability and community participation are crucial to prevent tragedies like Zubayer’s death. His sacrifice reminds the nation of the human cost of illegal land exploitation and the urgent need for justice, regulation and protection for farmers and local communities.
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, an environmental and social justice organization, said Zubayer’s death highlights the urgent need for stronger protection for farmers. Sohanur emphasized that illegal land exploitation is a matter of justice and human rights. He called for transparent law enforcement, accountability for political actors and community participation to prevent similar tragedies.
