Illegal structures on govt canal

A local Awami League (AL) leader is building illegal structures, filling up about 20 decimals of land of a government canal at Kartimari Haat, a village market in Jadur Char union under Kurigram's Roumari upazila.

The villagers and traders said they dared not protest the act of the alleged perpetrator, Suruzzamal Sarker, upazila unit AL's religious affair secretary, while the local administration is not taking any effective action even after being informed of the matter.

The government canal is the only way for drainage of water at Kartimari Haat, locals said, adding that if the illegal structures are constructed and the canal is filled up, the drainage system will be disrupted and there will be water stagnation in the market area, especially during the monsoon.

Suruzzamal had been cultivating fish in the canal for a long time without any valid papers and lately he started filling the canal with earth and building illegal structures there, showing political power, they said.

Contacted, Suruzzamal Sarker said, "I am the owner of the canal and I have all the valid papers. I am filling my canal with earth for building some shops but some people are hatching conspiracy against me."

Mosharaf Hossain, a trader at Kartimari Haat and also president of Jadur Char union unit of Jubo League, said he and 53 other local traders have set up shops along the canal after taking permission from the authorities concerned.

The canal is a public property and it serves as the only way for drainage of water from the market area, he said.

Sohrawardy Hossain, an advisor to upazila unit AL and a resident of Kartimari area, said, "We do not have the courage to speak out against Suruzzamal Sarker. The government authorities should take action to save the canal for ensuring proper drainage of water during monsoon."

Golam Mortuza, assistant land officer of Jadur Char union land office, said Kartimari Haat and the canal connected with it are owned by the government.

"The canal was not leased to any person. If anyone builds structure by filling up the canal, it is illegal. I will inform the authorities about the matter after investigation," he said.

Rowmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Al-Imran told The Daily Star, "I have heard the matter. I will take necessary action after visiting the spot. No one will be allowed to fill up the government canal and build illegal structures there."

Locals demanded that the government authorities take necessary steps to save the canal, the only way to drain the water in Kartimari Haat from the illegal occupation.