Occupying passenger shed in Nawabganj alleged
Mahbubur Rahman Tipu, Dohar & Nawabganj (Dhaka)
An allegation has been raised against Azgar Ali, the brother of an Awami League leader, for occupying a passenger shelter in Nawabganj and constructing commercial shops there.
An allegation has been raised against Azgar Ali, the brother of an Awami League leader, for occupying a passenger shelter in Nawabganj and constructing commercial shops there.
Despite lacking political influence, Azgar Ali remains unaffected due to his control over the occupied property. Azgar Ali, brother of Dhaka District Awami League General Secretary Paniruzzaman Tarun, has allegedly taken over the passenger shelter at Komarganj Launch Ghat in Bahra Union of Nawabganj Upazila, Dhaka, and built a market to rent out shops. This incident has caused suppressed resentment among local residents. It is also alleged that after August 5, he occupied another piece of land by the riverbank and constructed a structure.
Local businessmen, speaking anonymously, stated that about 30 years ago, the passenger shelter at Komarganj Launch Ghat was demolished, and during the previous Awami League government, Azgar Ali, brother of the influential Awami League leader and Dhaka District General Secretary Paniruzzaman, occupied the site. He then constructed permanent shops and rented out five of them. Due to fear, locals did not speak out against the occupation of the passenger shelter and its conversion into a market.
Sujan Pal, owner of Sujan Bastralaya, who rents a shop on the occupied land, said he has been renting the shop from Azgar Mia for over three years. He paid an advance of 2.5 lakh taka and currently pays a monthly rent of 4,000 taka. He added that he is unaware if the site was previously a passenger shelter for the launch ghat.
The owner of Farhan Fashion stated that he also rents a shop, having paid an advance of 2.5 lakh taka three years ago and signing an agreement for a monthly rent of 4,000 taka. Additionally, a hotel is also under Azgar Ali’s control, with the tenant paying an advance of 1 lakh taka and a monthly rent of 3,000 taka. All tenants pay rent to Azgar Ali.
Fuel oil trader Md. Alam said the site was originally a passenger shelter for the launch ghat, but during the Awami League government, it was turned into a market and rented out. Twenty years ago, he purchased possession of a shop from Md. Falu for 1.4 lakh taka through a stamped agreement, but there is no sub-lease deed. He claimed that most of the land in Komarganj’s market and surrounding areas is government-owned or khas land, adding that he would vacate if the government demanded.
When contacted by mobile phone, Azgar Ali denied occupying anyone’s land to build a market. He claimed that in 2020, he purchased the passenger shelter through a stamped agreement from someone named Murad, though there is no registered deed. He also stated that he bought possession from Sheikh Shahin and Md. Shanal.
Jummon Ali, General Secretary of the Komarganj Bazar Committee, said he recently assumed his role. He noted that if the upazila administration provides any directives regarding the land occupation, he will assist, but beyond that, there is little he can do.
BIWTA Director AKM Arif Uddin said there is no scope for occupying the passenger shelter land at the launch ghat. He was unaware of the issue but assured that prompt inquiries would be made, and action would be taken.
Local businessmen, speaking anonymously, stated that about 30 years ago, the passenger shelter at Komarganj Launch Ghat was demolished, and during the previous Awami League government, Azgar Ali, brother of the influential Awami League leader and Dhaka District General Secretary Paniruzzaman, occupied the site. He then constructed permanent shops and rented out five of them. Due to fear, locals did not speak out against the occupation of the passenger shelter and its conversion into a market.
Sujan Pal, owner of Sujan Bastralaya, who rents a shop on the occupied land, said he has been renting the shop from Azgar Mia for over three years. He paid an advance of 2.5 lakh taka and currently pays a monthly rent of 4,000 taka. He added that he is unaware if the site was previously a passenger shelter for the launch ghat.
The owner of Farhan Fashion stated that he also rents a shop, having paid an advance of 2.5 lakh taka three years ago and signing an agreement for a monthly rent of 4,000 taka. Additionally, a hotel is also under Azgar Ali’s control, with the tenant paying an advance of 1 lakh taka and a monthly rent of 3,000 taka. All tenants pay rent to Azgar Ali.
Fuel oil trader Md. Alam said the site was originally a passenger shelter for the launch ghat, but during the Awami League government, it was turned into a market and rented out. Twenty years ago, he purchased possession of a shop from Md. Falu for 1.4 lakh taka through a stamped agreement, but there is no sub-lease deed. He claimed that most of the land in Komarganj’s market and surrounding areas is government-owned or khas land, adding that he would vacate if the government demanded.
When contacted by mobile phone, Azgar Ali denied occupying anyone’s land to build a market. He claimed that in 2020, he purchased the passenger shelter through a stamped agreement from someone named Murad, though there is no registered deed. He also stated that he bought possession from Sheikh Shahin and Md. Shanal.
Jummon Ali, General Secretary of the Komarganj Bazar Committee, said he recently assumed his role. He noted that if the upazila administration provides any directives regarding the land occupation, he will assist, but beyond that, there is little he can do.
BIWTA Director AKM Arif Uddin said there is no scope for occupying the passenger shelter land at the launch ghat. He was unaware of the issue but assured that prompt inquiries would be made, and action would be taken.
