Recovered Govt land worth crores of taka again grabbed in Jhenaigati
Khorshed Alam, Sherpur
Allegations have arisen that government land worth crores, which had previously been recovered, has once again been illegally occupied in Jhenaigati
Already, the grabbers have removed the signboard put up by the administration on the recovered government land and begun constructing a multi-storied building. Construction work is going on in full swing.
It is known that a powerful expatriate individual residing in the Bridgepara neighborhood of Maharshi River near the Upazila Land Office had long ago occupied the government land worth crores of taka, building houses and shops. He had been running a rental business with these shops and houses.
It is reported that in 2021, a mobile court was conducted by the Sherpur District Administration and the Jhenaigati Upazila Administration to recover the said land. During the operation, several tin-shed houses were demolished. Signboards indicating the land as government property were hung by the Upazila Land Administration on other shops and houses.
Local residents allege that on August 5, just days after the fall of the Awami League government, the government signboards from the recovered shops and houses were removed and the properties were re-occupied. These shops have again been rented out over the past few weeks.
Not only that, the grabber's people demolished the tin-shed houses on the land and started constructing a multi-storied building on the site.
It is alleged that although the construction began nearly two months ago after removing the government signboard, the administration has not taken any action against the grabber’s people.
After news reports were published in various newspapers, the administration somewhat responded. A new signboard has again been hung on the boundary wall of the house by the administration. However, the illegal construction of the building continues inside the boundary wall by the grabber's people.
Removing the government signboard from government land is not only a punishable offense but also defying administrative orders and constructing buildings illegally on government property is a serious crime.
Yet, in two months, no legal action has been taken by the administration against the offenders.
Regarding the issue, Jhenaigati Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ashraful Alam Russel said, “Upon receiving reports of illegal construction, the Upazila Administration has issued warnings. If illegal construction continues, legal action will be taken against them.”
When asked about this issue, Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Torafdar Mahmudur Rahman replied with a counter-question, “Why do you only talk about the construction of a single building? There are many illegal grabbers and buildings in Jhenaigati. Why don’t you talk about all these illegal structures?”
