<i>Grabber's eye on Rajbari</i>

The archaeological site of Puthia Rajbari (royal palace) is likely to become private property due to negligence of the government, the people of Puthia said at a demonstration yesterday.
They also burnt an effigy of Khalilur Rahman, a retired Tahsildar (revenue collector) of Puthia land office, who has been conspiring to grab the 36-acre land of the site since 1975. Recently, he has resumed his activities to realise the public property.
Protesting Khalilur's action, hundreds of locals and cultural activists formed a huge human chain under the banner of "Amra Sacheton Puthiabashi" (conscious people of Puthia) yesterday.
Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Abdul Hannan said Khalilur has been trying to capture the property since 1975 to no effect.
In early 2011, he filed a writ petition with the High Court claiming ownership of the 36-acre of property, the DC said, adding that the hearing on the petition is now underway.
Contacted, Khalilur Rahman declined to talk to this correspondent and said he would talk to the court if necessary.