We are victims of political vindictiveness
A group of locals, whose structures near the Dhamai river in Barlekha upazila were demolished by local administration, alleged that they have been victims of political vindictiveness.
Locals claimed that their properties were not illegal, and therefore, the structures should not be demolished.
Wishing anonymity, a resident of Sonatola village said as most of the people in the area are BNP supporters, some influential locals convinced the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) to conduct the eviction drive.
Later, the eviction drive had triggered resentment among the locals.
The villagers said excavation of the river has recently begun.
On February 13, the upazila administration and local union parishad jointly conducted the drive without prior notices, causing huge loss to locals, said Mortuz Ali, a grocer of the area, adding that his shop was also demolished.
"During the drive, we tried to talk to the officers but they did not listen to us," he said.
Mortuz claims to have lost more than Tk 5 lakh in the drive.
Around 50 structures which included houses and shops in Sonatola Bridge area were demolished during the eviction drive, said locals, adding that UNO Md Shamim Al Imran and Barlekha Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Siraj Uddin were present at the time.
Angered by the incident, locals then seized the excavators used in digging the river. On information, Barlekha Upazila Parishad Chairman Shueb Ahmed and Vice Chairman Taj Uddin rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Another resident Shelly Begum claimed that although her property was legal, the local administration demolished the boundary wall of her house without issuing a prior notice.
"We always cate votes for AL-backed candidates, but some local influential persons branded us as BNP supporters. They had planned to destroy our own land," she said.
Contacted, the UNO said those structures demolished were illegal. During the drive, no one claimed ownership of the structures.
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