Dinajpur Correspondent : The allegations of construction of multi-storey buildings by grabbing government private land and alleged vested property in Parbatipur, Dinajpur have now created a strong stir in the public mind. Locals allege that the Awami League government has openly seized government property using its long-standing political influence, administrative collusion and power to build a commercial market worth crores of taka. However, serious questions have been raised about the role of the administration as no visible action has been taken despite complaints for years. The most worrying thing is that threats, intimidation and even death threats have been alleged if anyone speaks out against the grabbing of government land. This has caused extreme panic among the locals. Local sources, written complaints and on-site investigations have revealed that the multi-storey building currently being constructed in the Alhaj Mohiuddin Road Cloth Market area of ​​Ward No. 2 of Parbatipur Municipality once housed the municipal land office. Later, after the office was moved elsewhere, the government land came to the attention of influential circles. It is alleged that local businessman Mir Sirajul Haque took control of the place step by step using the political umbrella of the Awami League. Then, with the help of local ruling leaders, the construction of the multi-storey market began there. According to the locals, such a big encroachment would never have been possible without the mysterious silence and cooperation of a section of the administration. Locals said that allegations of encroachment of government land started coming up since the foundation stone of the multi-storey market was laid in 2017. But even after the complaints, no effective eviction drive was carried out. Rather, the locals claim that the administration was bowing to political influence. Although construction work was halted for about 16 months after the political change in 2024, it has been alleged that work on the upper floor of the building has recently started again. Locals claim that preparations are underway to sell those shops as “positions” for a large sum of money. Meanwhile, local resident Md. Amin has faced serious threats for filing a written complaint against the encroachment of government property. He mentioned in his complaint filed with Parbatipur Railway Police Station that on the night of April 19, some motorcycle riders blocked his path and offered him a bribe of one lakh taka to withdraw the complaint. If he did not agree, he was threatened with sharp weapons. The complaint further states that the accused asked him to leave the area and threatened to kill him publicly and hide the body otherwise. This incident has spread panic throughout the area. Another heartbreaking picture has emerged on the ground. For a long time, disabled businessman Ehsanul Haque and his brother Muntasur Rahman used to run a cloth business in the area. There are allegations that in the name of market construction, they were first asked to temporarily vacate their shops. Later, they were evicted permanently using political influence and terrorist power. The victims claim that the goods of the shops were thrown on the road, vandalized and several lakhs of taka were damaged. Today, they are living in inhuman conditions. But there is no one to listen to their cries. The question of the local conscious community is – If illegal structures were really built on government khas land, then what was the administration doing for years? Under whose umbrella is this encroachment going on? Why have the illegal structures not been demolished yet despite the complaints? Why are strict legal action not being taken against the accused? In this regard, Md. Saddam Hossain said, “We have received a written complaint. An order was given to stop the construction work. The Assistant Commissioner (Land) has been given the responsibility to investigate.” However, the locals claim that in reality, the construction work has not stopped completely. There is a huge gap between the administration’s statement and the reality on the ground. On the other hand, despite repeated attempts to contact Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mahmud Hussain Raju, his mobile phone was found switched off. When accused Mir Sirajul Haque was asked to comment on the allegations, he refused to comment. Locally aware circles say that this is not just a land grabbing incident; it is a reflection of administrative failure, political influence and extreme contempt for the rule of law. The encroachment of government land, the eviction of helpless disabled traders and the threat to the life of the complainants – all this is a clear picture of a dangerous encroachment syndicate in Parbatipur. Locals have demanded an immediate impartial investigation, recovery of government land, eviction of illegal structures, arrest of the threat makers and an investigation into the role of the administrative officials involved.
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