Govt Canal in Kotalipara encroached causing sufferings to 3000 residents
Samir Roy, Kotalipara (Gopalganj)
Allegations have been found that influential individuals have encroached upon a government canal (known as Kanta Khal) by filling it with sand in Banarjhor village, Kandi Union, Kotalipara Upazila, Gopalganj.
This encroachment has blocked the only pathway used by approximately 3,000 residents of Banarjhor village for movement.
In this regard, a complaint signed by over a hundred residents of Banarjhor village has been submitted to the Upazila Executive Officer’s office.
According to the complaint, the sole canal used for movement by around 3,000 people in Banarjhor village has been forcibly filled with sand and encroached upon by Nur Islam Sheikh, an influential person from Karfa village in Tungipara Upazila, and his brother Rafiq Sheikh, a former Union Parishad member, leveraging their power. The encroachment specifically involves the front portion of the one-volt switch gate of the government Kanta Khal.
Meanwhile, concerned citizens have appealed to the administration to take action to free the government canal from the grip of land grabbers.
Shawkot Mallick, an affected resident of Banarjhor village, said, “There is no road for the residents of Banarjhor to travel. During the rainy season, we use boats, and in the dry season, we walk along the canal’s edge. However, Nur Islam Sheikh from the neighboring Karfa village in Tungipara Upazila and his brother Rafiq Sheikh, a former UP member, have forcibly filled the front portion of the one-volt switch gate of this government Kanta Khal with sand, encroaching upon it. This has caused immense hardship for us villagers. We strongly demand that the administration free the canal from encroachment and ensure smooth passage for our movement.”
When contacted, Nur Islam Sheikh from Karfa village in Tungipara Upazila, one of the accused, said, “I have not encroached on any government canal. I have filled my own land with sand. I have not obstructed any canal excavation work. The allegations against me are false and baseless.”
Tushar Madhu, Chairman of Kandi Union Parishad, “This canal is the only means of movement for the residents of Banarjhor village. When a contractor began government-approved excavation work on the canal, Nur Islam Sheikh and his brother Rafiq Sheikh, a former UP member from Karfa village, obstructed the work, forcing the contractor to stop and leave. I will inform the higher authorities about this matter.”
Kotalipara UNO (Additional Duty) Md. Moinul Haque said, “We have received a complaint regarding this issue. An on-site investigation will be conducted, and necessary action will be taken.
In this regard, a complaint signed by over a hundred residents of Banarjhor village has been submitted to the Upazila Executive Officer’s office.
According to the complaint, the sole canal used for movement by around 3,000 people in Banarjhor village has been forcibly filled with sand and encroached upon by Nur Islam Sheikh, an influential person from Karfa village in Tungipara Upazila, and his brother Rafiq Sheikh, a former Union Parishad member, leveraging their power. The encroachment specifically involves the front portion of the one-volt switch gate of the government Kanta Khal.
Meanwhile, concerned citizens have appealed to the administration to take action to free the government canal from the grip of land grabbers.
Shawkot Mallick, an affected resident of Banarjhor village, said, “There is no road for the residents of Banarjhor to travel. During the rainy season, we use boats, and in the dry season, we walk along the canal’s edge. However, Nur Islam Sheikh from the neighboring Karfa village in Tungipara Upazila and his brother Rafiq Sheikh, a former UP member, have forcibly filled the front portion of the one-volt switch gate of this government Kanta Khal with sand, encroaching upon it. This has caused immense hardship for us villagers. We strongly demand that the administration free the canal from encroachment and ensure smooth passage for our movement.”
When contacted, Nur Islam Sheikh from Karfa village in Tungipara Upazila, one of the accused, said, “I have not encroached on any government canal. I have filled my own land with sand. I have not obstructed any canal excavation work. The allegations against me are false and baseless.”
Tushar Madhu, Chairman of Kandi Union Parishad, “This canal is the only means of movement for the residents of Banarjhor village. When a contractor began government-approved excavation work on the canal, Nur Islam Sheikh and his brother Rafiq Sheikh, a former UP member from Karfa village, obstructed the work, forcing the contractor to stop and leave. I will inform the higher authorities about this matter.”
Kotalipara UNO (Additional Duty) Md. Moinul Haque said, “We have received a complaint regarding this issue. An on-site investigation will be conducted, and necessary action will be taken.
