Paikgachha Land Encroachment: Locals Demand Govt Action

Locals in Paikgachha, Khulna, are demanding urgent government intervention to reclaim state assets and protect the Ulubunia River from illegal encroachment. Citizens accuse an influential local group of seizing government-vested property (VP) in Lata Union's Putimari area, exploiting administrative blind spots.

Central to the allegations is Prashant Mondal, brother of Lata Union UP member Kumaresh Mondal, who reportedly occupies 0.66 acres of the 52-acre VP land along the river. When questioned by the media, Mondal failed to produce valid Khas Khatian or DCR documents, claiming his lease papers were destroyed in a fire on August 5.

However, official records contradict the legality of his occupation. A 2020 Khulna Deputy Commissioner's office memorandum suspended all leasing activities on 13.58 acres of this specific land, citing a court directive. Despite this, illegal infrastructure—including luxury garden houses—has been built, obstructing the river's natural flow. This comes even after the government dredged the 55.89-acre river in 2021 to boost local fish resources.

Relying on the government's "zero tolerance" policy against land piracy, locals are pressing the administration for three immediate actions:

1. A digital government survey to map the Ulubunia River's gazetted boundaries and identify encroached areas.

2. A thorough verification of government land registries to cross-check the accused's claims regarding the burned lease documents.

3. The public release of the Paikgachha Assistant Commissioner (Land)'s on-site investigation report, which was mandated by the 2020 DC office order.

Citizens urge the Khulna district administration to step in swiftly to recover these invaluable state assets.