Hundreds of fisher families residing for 70 to 80 years in shacks on the banks of the original stream of river Bidyadhari in villages Gangati, Malatipur, Sadiknagar, Chaita and Chhaberia (tribal village) in Chaita Gram Panchayet of Basirhat-II Block have moved the government demanding their right to homestead land. Right on a large breeding ground of mosquitoes, vermin and rodents, amidst scores of freely moving pigs and dogs, the fisher families have been living in a very despicable and unhygienic condition. They do not have any legal title of the tiny pieces of land on which their shacks stand. Activists of Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum (DMF) campaigned to make these wretched fisher people aware of their land rights and the ways and means to access the same. The main thrust was to avail the policy declared by the Government of West Bengal to provide homestead land and house under a project named “Nijo Griha – Nijo Bhumi” (Own House – Own Land). DMF activists also conducted a survey of the fisher families to classify the families by caste, religion and single woman headed categories to ascertain priorities as per the policy laid down in the “Nijo Griha – Nijo Bhumi” scheme. The effort generated big enthusiasm in the area. Particularly the women have taken lead in organising deputation to the Block Land and Land Revenue Officer (BLLRO) on 22nd August, 2017. About 60 fisher people, 40 of whom were women, thronged the office of the BLLRO and submitted applications for land and house. Seeing the enthusiasm of the local fishers the Panchayet leaders came out to support the move. Witnessing the pressure of the masses the BLLRO immediately ordered inspection of the area on 24th August 2017. Landless fishing communities are contacting DMF organisers and activists from many other places to push ahead with their demands for land and house.