A powerful syndicate has been accused of trading crores of takas worth of smallholding trading in the name of hat and bazaar development in Gobindaganj area of Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj. Locals have said that they are being charged Tk 3 to 4 lakh for each smallholding in the name of providing settlement for more than 100 smallholding on government land adjacent to Chhatak-Sylhet road.
According to local sources, the construction of smallholdings has been going on for about a month before the settlement on the land registered in Government Register No. 1 (J.L. No. 246) of East Rampur Mouza. Although the settlement was supposed to be provided at a nominal price, in reality it is turning into a kind of trade. As a result, allegations of withdrawing more than Tk 1.5 crore have been made against the concerned quarters.
As soon as the land settlement issue became known, a storm of demands arose regarding the settlement of the neighboring land. Due to this, businessman Zahir Hossain became the victim of an extortion case due to his demand for land for a graveyard and an Eidgah. On October 21, locals formed a human chain in Gobindaganj to protest the case filed against him. On the other hand, the opposing party is preparing for a counter-programme, which has led to the fear of tension and conflict in the area.
Upazila Parishad sources said that nine development projects were approved in a meeting in Gobindaganj Bazar on August 8. Out of these, Tk 14 lakh was allocated for four projects and Tk 10 lakh was later allocated for two more projects. Locals have alleged that the syndicate is involved in business worth more than crores of Tk 24 lakh, focusing on government development projects.
Locals have sought the intervention of the administration to investigate the matter and take necessary measures. Gobindaganj Small Traders Association General Secretary Shahajan Mia said that the president knows the details of this matter, I do not have any information.
Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sanjay Ghosh said, “I have not signed any file outside the government policy. The new AC Land will look into the matter after assuming office.”
Upazila Executive Officer Md. Tariqul Islam said, “The government is constructing sheds for traders and only the government-determined money is being taken from here.
There is no question of taking additional money. If anyone has transacted money in the name of shop allotment, then it will be investigated.” When criticism started across the upazila regarding this, he said in a status posted on his Facebook page, “We are requesting not to do any financial transactions with anyone for the allocation of shop premises in Gobindaganj Bazar. If anyone talks about any kind of money, then we are calling on the administration to inform them immediately.
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