Thousands of iillegal structures already built : Encroachment of Padma banks rampant in Dohar
Mahabubur Rahman Tipu,.Dohar (Dhaka)
There have been allegations of encroachment on the area along the Padma River in Dohar.
The four sons of Quader Fakir, Habi Fakir, Dobi Fakir, Khabir Fakir, and Jalil Fakir, who have been living there for more than forty years, have alleged that they have been in possession of this land since the time of their grandfather Adam Fakir.
In the last few days, about 5 acres of our agricultural land was forcibly occupied by the deceased of Paschim Madhurchar village. Ilias Sheikh and Rabbani Sheikh, two sons of Rakman Sheikh, deceased of the same village. Gani Sheikh, son of Hashem Sheikh, deceased of Doharpuri area. Siru Sikder Gong, son of Jamal Sikder of the same village, on behalf of Pawan Molla's daughter Jhunu Akhtar.
Victim Quader Fakir Gangra said that they have forcibly occupied most of the land of about 5 acres of land along with Gangpar/Battola Primary School in Paschim Madhurchar village of Sutarpara union of the upazila and built houses. Currently, they are living with their families in fear. Despite informing the matter to the officer-in-charge of Doha police station, Abu Bakkar Siddique and local leaders, they are not getting any redress.
In addition, influential people have forcibly occupied and built illegal structures in places called Narisha, Narisha Joar, Meghula, West Madhurchar, and Battala, and have established more than a hundred businesses. In addition, illegal dredging businesses have been established in those places. Along with this, there is an increase in the number of tong shops, housing, mosques, temples, and entertainment centers. If this continues, there will be a wave of land grabbing along the banks of the Padma River.
No one has been found guilty in West Madhurchar in this regard. However, several people who did not wish to be named said that many leaders of the BNP in Doha were involved in the forcible occupation.
Dhaka-1 Constituency (Dohar and Nawabganj) MP and Dhaka District BNP President Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, after attending various social programs for the people of the Char region, announced that he wants to work together for the development of the Char region and expressed a strong stance against drugs, child marriage, forced occupation, illegal sand mining and unlicensed activities.
He has given clear instructions that drugs, child marriage, forced occupation, illegal sand mining, and any irregularities without a license will not be tolerated, and no one involved in any mob-like crime will be spared.
When asked about this, Md. Nurul Islam, a resident of Madhurchar/Kazirchar area and general secretary of the Upazila Fisheries Party, said that the entire 36 kilometers of the geographical location of Dohar is the Padma River. Thousands of businesses, agricultural lands and family settlements have been built along the banks of that river.
Dohar Upazila Assistant Commissioner Bhumi Naushina Arif said, "According to the rules of BIWTIA, no one can build any structure within 150 meters from the river bank. Even then, we are continuing regular operations. No one has filed any complaint about Madhurchar. The 14 annas of property in Madhurchar is in the government's Khasi Khatian. Encroachment cannot be accepted in any way."
Doha, Dhaka.
