S. M. Zahirul Islam, Sreepur (Gazipur) 

An allegation has been made against a local Awami League leader for obstructing the legal collection of lease fees at CNB Bazar No. 1 in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. In response to the obstruction, the concerned leaseholder has sought legal remedy from the High Court.

Leaseholder Akhtar Hossain said,  since the first day of the Bengali year 1430, he has been legally collecting lease fees from the market. However, since August 5 of last year, Sreepur Municipal Awami League member Nurul Amin, his brother Aftab Uddin, Ruhul Amin, and wife Alfatunnesa have been creating obstacles in the collection process.

According to Akhtar Hossain, whenever he attempts to collect lease payments, Awami League activists intimidate shopkeepers and vandalize shops, resulting in significant financial losses for him.

Under these circumstances, he filed a writ petition with the High Court. In response, Justices Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and K. M. Rasheduzzaman Reza issued an order granting Akhtar Hossain an extension of two more months to continue collecting lease fees.

Akhtar Hossain said, “I fear there could be another attack or further obstruction to collecting the lease fees at any time.”

Sreepur upazila market inspector Toufiq Khan said, “According to the High Court’s order, Akhtar Hossain remains the legal leaseholder of the market. No new lease has been issued yet.”

Attempts were made several times via phone to get a statement from Municipal Awami League leader Nurul Amin, but he could not be reached.

Sreepur Model Police Station OC Zainal Abedin Mondol said, “We have not received any written complaint regarding obstruction in lease collection. If a complaint is submitted, it will be investigated and legal action will be taken.”