Illegal market on RHD land
Influential quarters constructed an illegal market by occupying a major portion of land owned by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Pungli area under Elenga municipality in Kalihati upazila of the district.
The alleged grabbers are continuing constructing shops on the government land near Pungli Bridge beside Dhaka-Tangail highway for the last couple of years and named it Pungli Bazar.
Although, local people informed the RHD of matter on several occasions, no step has been taken against the illegal occupiers so far.
As many as 13 local influential people constructed illegal shops in the north-east side of the Pungli Bridge while five others in the west end, locals alleged.
A number of traders of the market said of the 18 grabbers, one Haji Alauddin alone constructed 20 shops and gave those on rent to others.
Alauddin said the land beside the Pungli river remained unused earlier and he developed it after filling it with earth and constructed structures there for the better interest of locals.
"My intention was to develop a village market there and I did not hide anything from others as well," Alauddin claimed.
Several shopkeepers of the market said they have rented the shops from the occupiers after paying one to two years rent in advance.
Pungli Bazar Committee President Jamir Uddin said the market is run for the greater interest of the local people and the authorities concern should take necessary steps if anyone constructed any shops illegally there.
Elenga municipality panel Mayor Sukumar Ghosh said they have informed the authorities concerned of the matter on several occasions but no step has been taken yet.
Tangail RHD Executive Engineer Amimul Ehsan said he joined the office recently and was informed of matter.
“We will send a letter to the deputy commissioner's (DC) office seeking their help to conduct an eviction drive and remove the illegal structures from government land,” he added.
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