Shameem Reza Dafrul, Gobindaganj (Gaibandha)

In Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, there are cropland around - there is no road nearby. There have been allegations of construction of a bridge by encroaching on farmers' land in such a place.

In this incident, Mazharul Islam Palash, son of Munsur Ali, who claims ownership of the land, has filed a case in court against some people including the project implementation officer.

According to Palash's complaint, Munsur Ali of Bishwanathpur village has been cultivating a land with occupation for a long time. Suddenly, the project implementation officer took the initiative to build a bridge on the land. Despite the objections, the bridge was built ignoring them. Despite giving written complaints to various departments including the upazila administration, he filed a case in court without getting any redress. The matter is currently pending.

It is learned that in the 2023-24 fiscal year, a 12-meter-long bridge construction project was approved on a rural road under the control of the Upazila Disaster Management Department. Gobindaganj contractor Rafiqul Islam Rafiq got the crore-taka work. He said that the bridge was built where the project implementation officer had determined the location. However, local residents say that the bridge was built on vacant land between Bishwanathpur and Taluk Rahimapur. It will not be useful.

The bridge was not built in the right place and crores of taka were thrown into the water. They alleged that local BNP leader Mostafizur Rahman Dulu had occupied the land and built a connecting road.

Although Gobindaganj Thana BNP member Dulu demanded that the land for the bridge be a private account, the project officer was unable to build the connecting road for the bridge. Therefore, he claimed that he had cooperated in the public interest.

Upazila Project Implementation Officer Jinder Ali said that if the work is not done, the project money will be returned - so be it. Moreover, the land is private. If there is no road, the BNP people have taken an agreement to build it.

Gobindaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Syeda Yasmin Sultana said that she has received a written complaint in this regard. The matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken.