70 years of encroachment: N’ganj DC recovers land worth Tk 60crore

Staff Correspondent :

In Araihazar, Narayanganj, District Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah has recovered 23 acres of land worth around Tk 60 crore that had been under illegal occupation for 70 years. The intervention came after rising tensions over land grabbing threatened to spark violent clashes and even loss of life.

To restore order, the DC launched several initiatives. Following reports from the union land officer, surveyor, kanungo, and assistant commissioner (land), and based on the recommendation of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the DC declared the land state property under the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950.

The district administration has since decided to develop a scenic eco-park on the recovered land.

The move has brought relief to the area. Locals have welcomed the initiative, praising the administration for reclaiming the land and announcing the eco-park project.

According to sources, the land located near the Bishnandi Ferry Ghat beside the Narayanganj-Brahmanbaria highway had been occupied since 1947.

After Partition, Hindu owners of the land migrated to India, and hundreds of local families gradually began farming there.

In 2020, men linked to former Awami League MP Nazrul Islam Babu seized the land from farmers and started illegal sand trading. On August 5, local BNP activists also attempted to take control, heightening the risk of bloody clashes.

Upon receiving reports, DC Zahidul Islam ordered the Araihazar Upazila administration to ensure not a single inch of the land remained encroached.

He instructed officials to initiate the process of recording it as state-owned (khas) property. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Naeem Uddin stated, “All claimants were asked to submit documents.

After a public notice and hearings, it became clear that every claimant was fake.

I submitted my findings in a report to the UNO.” UNO S.K. Md. Mamunur Rashid then forwarded the file to the DC. On Tuesday, September 16, DC Zahidul Islam signed the official order to record the land under Khas Khatian No. 1.

Speaking to reporters, DC Zahidul Islam said, “We’ve decided to establish a scenic eco-park here on behalf of the district administration. This will ensure the land is never encroached again. At the same time, locals will benefit economically through tourism.”

Local residents also expressed support. Abdul Hamid, a teacher at Bishnandi Government Primary School, and Matiur Rahman, president of the Bishnandi Ferry Ghat Mosque and Madrasa Management Committee, said. “Our fathers and grandfathers used to farm this land, but in 2020, people linked to ex-MP Nazrul Islam grabbed it from us. We have no objection if the government builds an eco-park. We just want to make sure powerful groups can never take it again.”