Pond instead of road, road being built on private land

In Phulbari Upazila of Dinajpur, there have been allegations that a road is being built on privately owned land after the designated road area was broken into and turned into a pond.

The affected landowner said that he has not received any redress despite applying to various administration departments to protect his land.

The incident took place in Baraipara Polipara village of Daulatpur Union of Phulbari Upazila. It is learned that although there was a road area at the former CS 1455 and current RS 2161 mark in Polipara village, that area has been broken into and turned into a pond next to it. As a result, a new road is being built on the land owned by Najibor Rahman of the same village, which is located next to the road, at the former CS 1455 and current RS 2265 mark.

In this incident, the affected landowner Najibor Rahman Bhutta said that he had made two written applications to the Upazila Executive Officer demanding protection of his land, but no effective action has been taken so far. As a result, there is a fear that his land will be dispossessed.

He further alleged that the contractor is continuing the construction work without stopping it even after applying. He even claimed that he was threatened with security if he tried to stop the work.

In this regard, Upazila Engineer (LGED) Shafiqul Islam said that after receiving the application, an on-site investigation will be conducted and necessary measures will be taken. He said that the contractor has been ordered to stop the work until the investigation is completed.

Upazila Executive Officer Ahmed Hasan said that the Upazila Engineer has been given the responsibility to investigate Najibur Rahman's application and take action. Meanwhile, the aggrieved landowner has demanded a speedy and fair investigation and a fair solution.