Land acquisition for park: Villagers in Barishal constructing structures to receive more money

Several hundreds of people are allegedly rushing to construct concrete structures at a village in Barishal where the government plans to acquire land for a recreational park.

Sadar upazila's Charaicha village residents are doing this with the hope of getting additional money when the land acquisition goes through.

The government has already constructed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre covering around 10 acres of land in the area. But now its mulling a recreational park, covering around five acres of land, adjacent to the Novo Theatre.

A rumour has been spread in the area that people, who have vacant land, will get money and land with concrete structure will fetch additional money.

While visiting the area recently, this correspondent noticed almost all the locals erecting concrete structures on their land. Some of them are constructing shops and some one-, two-storey buildings.

"I have been working here for the last couple of days as the land owner has asked me to construct a one-storey building quickly," said a mason, adding, "Like me, over a 100 masons are working here daily."

Md Helal Mia, a local, said, "I got Tk 1.7 lakh for per decimal of land when the government acquired my land for building the Novo Theatre. I was not satisfied with the rate. I could get more money if I had some concrete structure on the land at that time."

When contacted, the district's Executive Magistrate Ataur Rabbi, who is also in-charge of land acquisition branch of Barishal Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office, said a proposal has already been sent to the ministry concerned for constructing a park adjacent to the Novo Theatre.

"As the news spread, locals have started constructing concrete structures there. But we have recorded the entire area's scenario on June 29. So, those, who are doing construction work now, will not receive extra money," he added.

Cautionary messages have already been circulated asking not to erect any new structure there.

A notice board in this regard has already been put up there, the official informed.