Delwar Hossain, Ajmiriganj (Habiganj)

After 18 months of closure, multi-storey buildings are being constructed on government land again with the direct support of Tehsildar Abul Kalam

Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of the administration's campaign in Ajmiriganj, with construction work being carried out in a Mastani style with sticks and sticks.

It has been alleged that construction of a multi-storey building has resumed on government land in Ajmiriganj municipality of Habiganj after a halt of nearly 18 months. Earlier, on February 15 last year, the upazila administration had stopped the construction work after a pictorial report was published in the national dailies and local newspapers. However, as construction has recently resumed at the same place, questions have been raised among the locals about the effectiveness of the administration's previous campaign.

It is learnt that on February 15 last year, when construction of a multi-storey building began on government land registered at plot number 34 of Khatian number 1 on Launch Terminal Road of Ajmiriganj Municipality, pictorial news was published in national dailies and local newspapers.

At that time, Abul Kalam Chowdhury, Deputy Assistant Officer (Tehsildar) of the Azmiriganj Sadar Union Land Office, quoted surveyor Mir Mohammad Shahin as saying that the land in question was included in the government register. Then the upazila administration went to the spot and stopped the construction work. Later, the surveyor of the upazila land office, Md. Masud Rana, measured the place and determined the boundaries of the government land. Officials of the land office visited it several times. After that, although the construction work was stopped for about 18 months, the locals said that recently the construction of a multi-storey building has started again at the same place.

There are allegations that despite the ongoing construction work on government land, no effective action is being taken by the concerned administration. Locals have expressed fear that this may further increase the trend of encroachment on government khas land.

In this regard, Ismail Mia, the owner of the building said "The tehsildar and surveyor came two to two and a half months ago and measured the land and determined the boundaries. After that, I started the construction work."

Abul Kalam Chowdhury, Deputy Assistant Officer (Tehsildar) of the Azmiriganj Sadar Union Land Office, said, "Sir called me and asked me to go to the construction site and provide information. Later, even though he went to the site, he stopped answering journalists' calls for unknown reasons."

To find out about this, several attempts were made to contact Md. Masud Rana, the surveyor of the Upazila Land Office, on his mobile phone, but no response was received from the other end.

When we tried to contact UNO.(Acting) Jasim Chowdhury on his mobile phone, he said he was in a hearing and would take action after searching. Despite repeated attempts, it was not possible to contact him.