Mahidul Islam Ripon, Dinajpur

Multi-storey buildings are standing in rows on agricultural land to the north of the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur Parbatipur Upazila. From a distance, it looks like the elite residential areas of Dhaka capital Gulshan, Baridhara and Banani. To the north of the Barapukuria coal mine in Parbatipur, three- to four-storey buildings have been constructed on agricultural land in the hope of acquiring Bashampukur, Kazipara and Chowhati of Hamidpur Union. More than two hundred buildings have been built by filling up cropland.

And most of these buildings have been built without following building codes, design approvals or safety regulations. But in reality, there are no people living there, most of these buildings built on agricultural land due to the news of the expansion of the Barapukuria coal mine are uninhabited. Haunted houses. The houses do not have electricity connection. Construction work is going on every day for new houses. There is no road to travel there. Locks are hanging on the main gates of many buildings. And permission is required for the construction of these buildings from the Parbatipur Upazila Building Design Committee and the Hamidpur Union Parishad.
The Parbatipur Upazila Building Design Committee includes the Upazila Executive Officer, Assistant Commissioner (Land), Upazila Engineer, Diploma Engineer, Fire Service Station Officer and UP Chairman. The Parbatipur Upazila Building Design Committee claims that they know nothing about these constructions. And the Hamidpur Union Parishad said that in 2024, permission was first given for the fourth floor and the second floor. After that, no more were given.

On the spot, it is seen that numerous buildings have been built in the middle of vast cropland in an unplanned manner. To reach these buildings, one has to walk along the edge of the land. There is no drainage system, paved roads or any other civic amenities around the buildings. If a journalist or a stranger goes to the area to take pictures or videos, they have to face obstacles.

Several residents of Bashampukur and Kazipara villages, who did not want to be named, said that most of the three- and four-story buildings that are being built are uninhabited. They have just built the buildings. We want the government to conduct a proper investigation and verify the real situation so that the real victims get fair compensation.

The Board of Directors of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) has decided to acquire 300 acres of land for the expansion of the mine in Banshpukur Kazipara and Chouhati Mouza of Hamidpur Union of Parbatipur Upazila. On December 18, 2024, the Board of Directors of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) received in-principle approval to acquire 300 acres of land to the north of the mine for the expansion of the Barapukuria Coal Mine. After that, on May 20, 2026, after the approval of an additional 1.36 acres on the east-south side of the mine, there has been a boom in the construction of multi-storey buildings in the identified areas without regulations. These buildings are being constructed without approval in the hope of getting more compensation.

Some residents of Bashampukur and Kazipara villages, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that some unscrupulous officials and employees of the Barapukuria coal mine are investing money in these construction projects anonymously or through brokers in the hope of higher compensation. A mason working on an ongoing construction project said that a two-story building is being constructed on about 30 acres of land and the owner of the building is an official of the coal mine.

The Parbatipur Upazila administration says that 22 mine officials and employees were seen during the survey. In this incident, there have been allegations of collusion between the officials and employees of the mining authority and a local broker gang to build a multi-storey building.

When contacted on mobile phone to inquire about the construction of buildings and warehouses in Hamidpur-Kazipara village, Barapukuria Coal Mine General Manager (Surface Operations) Abul Kalam Muhammad Badrul Alam said, "I did not build buildings and warehouses, there was a place in the expansion area in my wife's name, there is a warehouse there in her name. You come to the office and we will talk in an interview." It has been alleged that this official has two to three buildings and a few warehouses in Kazipara village.

Another official of the mine is Mine Manager (Subsidy and Environment) Muhammad Akkas Ali. He has constructed a two-storey house in the expansion area, Chouhati village. This was confirmed during the inspection of the house by the Deputy Commissioner.

When asked whether he was constructing a building in Chouhati village while he was a mining official in the mine expansion area, Mine Manager (Subsidence and Environment) Muhammad Akkas Ali said, "I have not built any house in the expansion area, I do not have any land in the expansion area."

And the owners of these houses include mining officials, employees, Ibrahim Khalil, the leader of the movement of the affected residents, the current UP chairman, and local influential people.

Hamidpur Union Parishad Secretary Sajedur Rahman of Parbatipur Upazila said, "No holding tax or registration has been done on the buildings constructed illegally in Bashampukur, Kazipara and Chauhahti Mouzas.

Talking to villagers, it was learned that 10 years ago, 667 acres of land, including agricultural land, houses, mosques, graveyards, schools, colleges, banks, insurance companies, and business establishments, were acquired in 13 villages in the mining area.

Hamidpur Union Land Assistant Officer Zaheduzzaman said, "There are 9,502 acres of agricultural land in 28 mouzas of Hamidpur Union. Of this, 1,03 acres is non-agricultural land. Most of this land has been used for multi-storey buildings. Agricultural land is gradually decreasing in this area."

The president of the Homestead Protection Committee, Nur Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, said, "People have been encouraged by some dishonest officials and influential circles of the mine. An impartial investigation will reveal the real facts. No multi-storey buildings have been constructed in this way in Patrapara or other nearby villages.

Parbatipur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Rajib Hussain said that fertile agricultural land is being destroyed due to unplanned construction of buildings on agricultural land in the acquisition area. This is very worrying.

The UP chairman concerned could not be reached after trying to contact the UP office for the last two days. Later, on the second day, when talking on the mobile phone, Rezwanul Haque, Chairman of Hamidpur Union Parishad No. 9 of Parbatipur Upazila, said that permission is required for the construction of buildings, but the people of the village do not accept it. The Union Parishad can give permission for the construction of two-storey buildings. In 2024, there was permission to build four-storey buildings, but now it is not. Approval for the construction of three to four-storey buildings is now given through the Upazila Committee. He further said that 150 buildings have been constructed in Bashpukur Kazipara village and 50 in Chouhati Mouza, 200 buildings. There are about 40 to 50 holdings. Such multi-storey buildings have been constructed for about two years. When asked in response to a question, you have 3/4 buildings in that expansion area. He said, I will meet you directly and talk to you, brother.

IParbatipur Upazila Building Design Committee member and Parbatipur Upazila Engineer Md. Manik Miah said that no one has applied for permission to construct multi-storey buildings in Banshpukur Kazipara and Chouhati Mouza areas of Hamidpur Union so far. He claimed that construction work is now stopped. However, there are no statistics on how many buildings have been constructed.

Parbatipur Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mahmud Hussain Raju said, "Locals have made many complaints in this regard. These buildings have been constructed without following the building code. A ban has already been imposed on collecting rent in those areas. The complaints will be investigated and necessary legal action will be taken."

According to sources from the Barapukuria coal mine, the Barapukuria coal mine located in Parbatipur was discovered in 1985. Initially, its area was 6.68 square kilometers. The mining authorities acquired 792.75 acres of land in several phases from 1993 to 2007 for the mining needs. The government has taken the initiative to increase the area of the mine again. For this, another 301.36 acres of land will be acquired. The necessary survey work is now underway. Geological data has been collected by drilling six boreholes. The necessary design for the next phase development was prepared and a proposal was sent to the Deputy Commissioner's office last year. A 50-member committee was also formed to prepare a list of the actual victims before the acquisition in 2024. Before that, three to four-story buildings have been constructed on the agricultural land of two villages to the north of the mine. On August 27, 2025, the then MD Abu Taleb Farazi, along with Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Md. Jane Alam and some officials from the Deputy Commissioner's office and the mine went to Bashpukur and Kazipara villages to inspect the land. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) tried to take pictures and videos using a drone, but was prevented from doing so by the building owners.

According to sources from the Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner's Office (LA), 792.75 acres of land were acquired in several phases for the needs of the Barapukuria coal mine from 1993 to 2007. According to the Immovable Property Acquisition and Possession Act-2017, the value of the acquired land and facilities will be determined by calculating the average price at which the land of the Hamidpur Union mouza was sold in the last three years from the District Registry Office.

Managing Director (MD) of Barapukuria Coal Mine Md. Shah Alam said that the government has taken the initiative to expand the mine. Before the acquisition, multi-storey buildings were constructed in Bashampukur, Kazipara and Chowhati on the northern side of the mine.