Permanent structures on govt land
Two local influential men have continued building separate permanent structures on leased out government khas land at Balarhat Bazar in Kurigram's Phulbari upazila, thanks to the negligence of the authorities concerned.
Local people alleged that Jahedul Islam and Bulbul Ahmed have been constructing separate concrete structures near the Naoganga Union Parishad for the last few weeks.
Although villagers informed the local land office about matter, they are yet to take any legal action in this regard due to unknown reason.
A number of villagers said they fears that if the authorities concerned fail to take legal action against the perpetrators immediately, many others would follow the culprits' footsteps in future.
Jahedul Islam, who is constructing a permanent shop on the government property, said he took lease of four decimals of khas land on a temporary basis recently.
Now he is enjoying the benefit of the government land by paying its annual DCR (duplicate copy of revenue) rent, he said, adding that he has no objection if the authorities concerned demolish the establishment.
Another temporary lease Bulbul Ahmed said he is constructing the concrete structure on the leased land after having talks with the authorities concerned.
He is enjoying the four decimal government land by paying it annual rent through the DCR, Bulbul added.
Naodanga Union Sub Assistant Land Officer Masud Rana said he had repeatedly warned Jahedul and Bulbul not to construct the permanent structures on government property, but they did not pay any heed.
His office has already sent a report to the assistant commissioner (AC Land) in this regard, urging him to cancel the DCR lease of the government land in the name of Jahedul and Bulbul and demolish the under-construction illegal structures, he said.
He hopes that the upazila land office will take necessary action in this regard very soon, Masud added.
Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), also AC Land, Suman Das said he was aware of the matter, but he take necessary action soon after receiving the relevant documents.