Jessore Correspondent :
Education and Engineering Department was compelled to stop the development work of Mahakal Secondary Girls’ School under Abhaynagar Upazila in Jessore after being informed that the school has no land of its own.
The construction work of Tk 61 lakh allocated by the Education and Engineering Department, Jessore, was inaugurated by the local lawmaker on April 15, 2017.
Rafiqul Islam, Executive Engineer, Education and Engineering Department, Jessore told newsmen that TK 61 lakh was allocated for the development of Mahakal Secondary Girls School after having a demand note given by the local lawmaker. ‘Work order was also given by the department after making soil tests,’ the executive engineer added.
He also said the work is now on hold after having a dispute. While asked about the legitimacy of the allocation on a disputed land, the executive engineer said his office does not play key role in allocating fund for development works. ‘The allocation was made based on the demand note of the local lawmaker’, he added.
Fakir Aktarul Alam, manager, United Commercial Bank, Nawapara Branch, Jessore told Newsmen that the ownership of some 71 decimal land property owned by Messer’s Jahangir and Brothers was handed over to the bank by the court on February 22, 2009 as the owner of the business firm had failed to pay the loan along with interests that was given against the mortgage of the property.
According to an investigation report made by the deputy commissioner, Jessore which was revealed on March 10, 2011, Md Sher Ali Morol donated a piece of land in favour of the institution on plot number 557 of Chengutia mouja under Abhaynagar upazila on 26th February, 1989 although the plot was sold earlier by the land owner to Bishnu Pada on February 23, 1985. But a total of 78 decimal lands on plot number 1267,209 and 2011 were bought by Jahangir Alam from the owner of the lands Md Abu Jafar on 6th January, 1998.
‘The institution is actually situated on plot number 1267 and 211 owned by Jahangir Alam,’ the investigation stated,’ the land donated in favor of the institution is on plot number 557.’
The owner of the land property of the institution Jahangir Alam termed the step taken by the school authority as a fraud.
While asked about the matter, Trilochon Kumar Saha, headmaster, Mahakal Secondary Girls School claimed that the school is the owner of the land property. ‘We are enjoying this property for 33 years,’ he added.
He also said the school was established in the year 1985 before Jahangir Alam is telling to buy it in 1998. He however, confirmed Newsmen that the school is situated on a piece of disputed land.
The headmaster lastly requested Newsmen not to destroy the institution. ‘Please do something for the institution,’ he further appealed.
