Encroachers building structures on 3 govt ponds

Three government ponds on about three acres of land at Mohipur Bazar in Kalapara upazila are allegedly being grabbed by a section of local influential people.

Apart from this, locals are throwing waste in the ponds, polluting waters there, said some residents of the area.

As a result, the ponds now turn into breeding grounds of mosquitoes, they said.

Although Mohipur union land office prepared a list of 52 grabbers in August last year and sent it to the office of assistant commissioner (land) in the upazila, the encroachment has been going on openly as the authorities concerned failed to take any action against the encroachers.

According to the union land office, the three government ponds named Kalibari Pukur-I, Kalibari Pukur-2 and Kacharibari Pukur lie at Mohipur Bazar, a fish landing station near Kuakata sea beach. There are 10,000 business establishments and dwelling houses in the area.

Of the 52 grabbers, 31 have encroached Kalibari Pukur-I, 17 have occupied Kalibari Pukur-2 and four have grabbed Kacharibari Pukur, said Md Azizur Rahman, sub-assistant land officer of the union land office.

The grabbers are building various structures after filling up the ponds, said locals, adding that many establishments have already been built occupying large portions of the ponds.

But the authorities concerned have not taken any steps to stop the illegal construction, they alleged.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found a signboard, which is inscribed with the name of alleged occupier Md Nurul Haq, hung at a tin-shed house on a pond. The construction workers in the house were working to build a permanent structure there.

Nurul Haq said two years ago, he bought a piece of land from another local person named Md Selim at a cost of Tk 4 lakh. He made an oral contract with Selim while purchasing the land from the latter.

"I am now trying to get a DCR (duplicate carbon receipt) from the local land office," he said.

Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not reach another alleged grabber Md Sahid, also the partner of Nurul Haq, for his comment on the issue as he did not receive the phone calls.

Sub-assistant land officer Azizur Rahman said they also sent the list of encroachers to Kalapara upazila nirbahi office for seeking lawful steps. But no instruction came from there.

Contacted, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Munibur Rahman said they got the list. They will conduct a drive there soon to demolish all illegal structures.

The eviction drive has been delayed due coronavirus situation, said the UNO.