Munshiganj (South) Correspondent

The historic Munshirhat Canal, located adjacent to Munshirhat Bazar in Munshiganj town, is now on the verge of disappearing. Although the canal is still clearly marked in both CS and RS land maps, the reality tells a different story. More than half of the canal has already been illegally occupied.

Recently, allegations have surfaced against Jahirul Islam Gazi, the owner of Al Madina Sanitary, for forcibly filling and occupying public land worth crores of taka. It is reported that he stored goods from his business on this filled land. Additionally, he has occupied a 10-foot-wide and 100-meter-long road on the southern side of Munshirhat Bazar for personal business use — all without any official permission. This activity has continued openly, seemingly without intervention from any authorities.

According to information from the Munshiganj Municipality, the canal is visibly present in both CS and RS maps. On the east side of the road, the canal was originally 32 feet wide, expanding to as much as 55 feet in other places. The canal is situated between the boundaries of Shilmondi Mouza and Deobhog Mouza — beginning near the residence of former vice-chairman Nazmul Hasan Sohel Rana in College Para and extending to the far end of the Munshirhat cattle market.

An investigation revealed that on Friday, June 27, the property purchased by Jahir Gazi was officially handed over to him. On the morning of June 29, landfilling began in front of his property — reportedly on government canal land worth several crores of taka.

When questioned, the accused Jahir Gazi stated, “I have filled my own land. Officials from the upazila and municipality handed over the plot to me, so I filled it with sand.”

Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Sub-Assistant Engineer of Munshiganj Municipality, confirmed that more than half of the canal has already been occupied. “No legal lease has been issued by the municipality or the district commissioner’s office,” he said. “If any municipal officials or employees are found involved, we will take legal action against them.”