JP builds its upazila office on Nilphamari rly land
Local leaders of Jatiya Party (JP) have built an office on occupied railway land just beside the 'signal cabin' of Saidpur Railway Station in the district, causing problem for the signalmen to keep watch on tracks to give clearance for movement of trains.
A signboard marked with 'Temporary office of upazila unit JP' is hung on the door of the 30 feet by 20 feet corrugated iron sheet made office only a few metres from the signal cabin in the south of Saidpur Railway Station and very close to the railway tracks.
The spot is only 50 metres the government railway police (GRP) station.
"The signal cabin is very important for safe operation of trains. I have informed the higher authorities to take action as the illegal structure beside the cabin causes problem for signalmen to see the rail tracks and thus poses threat to safe train journey,” Abdul Kashem, stationmaster of the rail station, said during this correspondent's visit to the site on Thursday (December 18).
Touhidur Rahman, senior sub assistant engineer of railway works department in Saidpur, said, "A few weeks ago, local Jatiya Party leaders came to my office and requested for permission to build their office on the occupied land to use for three months. I clearly told them that I have no authority to give permission to build any party office on railway land.”
Shawkat Chowdhury, president of Saidpur upazila unit of JP, admitted occupation of railway land for a party office by some 'young party men' in his absence.
Shawkat, also opposition whip in parliament, however, tried to justify the act, saying, "Local leaders of Awami League and BNP also built party offices on occupied government lands but the matter is not questioned. Why should we be made responsible alone?"
"We will use the party office on railway land only for a few months," said Feroz Ahmed, general secretary of Saidpur unit of JP.
Saju Mia, officer in charge of GRP station in Saidpur, said he had visited the spot and asked upazila JP leaders to shift their illegal structure immediately to avert stern action by railway estate department.
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