Attempt to build shops at night on Govt land in Sreenagar
Sreenagar (Munshiganj) Correspondent
In Srinagar, a group of land grabbers is reportedly attempting to build shops in night after illegally filling government land worth approximately Tk 15 million.
At around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, construction began on government land beside Haji Nazrul Islam Kindergarten in the Patabhog area along the Sreenagar-Munshiganj road.Earlier, the group fenced off the land with corrugated tin and filled it with sand using drum trucks. Sources reveal that the encroached area covers around 15 decimals of land listed under Khas Khatian No. 1, Plot No. 116 of Patabhog mouza.
The operation is allegedly being led by Sheikh Rinku, son of the late Nur Islam Sheikh, with assistance from his brother-in-law Aminul Islam, owner of Famous Hospital.About a month ago, the group removed a government signboard from the site and erected tin fencing along the roadside. They then started filling the land with sand using drum trucks, allegedly with the help of a local Jubo Dal leader. When locals informed the Union Land Office, the officials not only failed to stop the illegal filling but also exposed the names of the whistleblowers.
Following this, Rinku and his associates threatened the informants and stockpiled bricks, sand, and stones at the site.According to locals, construction of shops began on Friday night. Years ago, Aminul Islam purchased land located behind the current government plot. Afterward, a signboard for Famous Hospital was placed on the purchased land. Shortly before the current land grab, a new signboard was put up in Rinku’s name—seemingly to leverage local influence, as he is a resident of the adjacent property.
When asked, Aminul Islam stated that a portion of the land had been transferred to his brother-in-law Rinku, who has begun constructing a multi-story building on his "owned" portion. He claimed the soil on the government land would be removed. Rinku, however, said the construction was intended as housing for laborers and claimed he had leased the land from the District Council. He could not provide a clear answer when questioned about how Khas Khatian land could be leased from the District Council.
Md. Rafiqul Islam, the acting officer at the Sreenagar Union Land Office, confirmed that and said appropriate actions would be taken. He remained silent when asked why no action had been taken earlier.
