Allegation encroachment of govt reservoir in Durgapur
Obaydul Islam Robi, Rajshahi
After lose the power of Awami League government, allegations of forcible occupation of the 62 bigha Khas reservoir of Shalgaria village in Durgapur municipal area of Rajshahi have been raised. In this connection the local farmers have given a written complaint to the Upazila administration.
According to local sources, the farmers have raised complaint against Afzal Hossain, Marfat Ali, Taiyab Ali and some local influential people including Rentu. There are about 62 bighas of government land in Dahar Bill. As the poor farmers of that area have no pond of their own, they catch fish from that water body to meet their meat needs. At present, the alleged influential persons have occupied the government reservoir without taking lease.
Local farmers complained that farmers are being threatened when they go fishing there. So the only demand of the farmers is that the reservoir should be opened for all as before. I have been fishing in that reservoir since my grandfather's time. But now I can't catch fish in that open water. The accused are showing fear in different ways when going fishing in that bill. He demanded a fair solution to this ongoing problem from the administration.
In this regard, Durgapur Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Amirul Islam said that the reservoir was leased for 6 years in the name of Kismat Hoja Fishermen's Cooperative Society. If anyone else tries to encroach there, legal action will be taken against them after investigation.
