Lohagara, Chattogram :
It has been alleged that the hill cemetery in Lohagara has been occupied. The locals have lodged a complaint against a UP member in the Mandlia Pahar area of Nayapara in Gaurdsthan of Putibila upazila. Local UP member Haji Mohammad Khane Alam and his two brothers Jane Alam and Saidy Alam used their influence to cut down the hilly area of the cemetery, including the old one, locals said.
It is learned on the spot that Shah Jabbaria Orphanage, Hefzkhana and Masjid Mandlia are located in the 8 No. ward of Putibila Union. For a long time, that hilly place has been the possession of the madrasa-mosque. The area adjacent to the mosque and madrasa has been used by the Muslims of 7/8 neighborhoods including Paschim Para, Dakshin Para, Uttar Para, Majher Para and Sikdarpara as tax havens. For the last 3-4 days, there has been extreme tension and anger among the locals as the local UP member and his two brothers have forcibly cut off the soil of the hill cemetery and destroyed the old grave.
Haji Omar Ali, president of the Shah Jabbaria Orphanage, Hefzkhana & Mosque Committee, said angrily that member had been cutting down and occupying parts of the long-standing old cemetery for the past few days. The graves are disappearing. The beauty and sanctity of the cemetery is being ruined.
Extreme anger is prevailing among the locals. He sought the intervention of the local administration to protect the cemetery & the property of the mosque.
UP member Haji Mohammad Khane Alam said the allegation of occupation of the cemetery was not true. He said he had cut and leveled part of his own occupied hill cemetery as it was uneven.
Lohagara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ahsana Habib Jitu said action would be taken in this regard.
