When the government is paying maximum attention to recover Khash land from the clutches of land grabbers, a section of them is still active to grab lands now under possession of the government and the Dhaka City Corporations (DCCs).
A section of concerned officers, who were entrusted with the task of making programme of protecting and recovering of the Khas land, are indulged in occupying the land, sources said.
It is learnt that Afzal Hossain, son of Md. Yasin of 24 Northbrook Hall Road at Bangla Bazar in the city, is constructing a multi-storied building grabbing 0332 Decimal land of the DCC (South) and the government with the help of a gang of land grabbers and concerned officials. Of which, 0080 Decimal land of Dag No. 6164 under Khatian No 1 owned by Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka on behalf of the government, 0152 Dec. Land of Dag No. 6152 (Drain) and 0100 Dec. land (House) of Dag No. 6164 under Sutrapur Mauza owned by the DCC (South).
Fatema Begum, mother of Afzal, is the owner of 0456 Dec. land of Dag No. 6164 of the Khatian No. 4045 under Sutrapur Mauja. But Afzal occupied 0080, 0152, 0100, 0332 Dec illegally and constructing the building there. The Government and the DCC land situated adjacent to his residence at 24 Northbrook Hall Road.
Visiting the spot, it was found that the multi-storied building is being constructed for the last six to seven months. Some locals said that Afzal is constructing the building by managing the concerned officials of DCC and the DC office. Arif Hossain, a neighbour said that the construction work was stopped 20-25 days ago following inspection of the concerned officials.
Again the construction started as Afzal managed the officials. Some of his neighbours said that the construction work of the building is going on rapidly, as Afzal will sell flats as soon as they are ready. They buyers, who will buy the flats, will ultimately have to face hassle if drive is taken anytime against the building in future, he said.
Monirul Alam, engineer of the construction work, said that the construction work would be completed within five to six months. He said that the building would be a seven-storied one. Some neighbours, however, said that Azfal is planning to construct 12 to 13 storied building although he took approval for seven-storied building.
When asked, Khalid Ahmed, Chief Estate Officer of DCC (South), said that they got complaints in this regard and they inspected the matter. “Please, talk to the officer who inspected the site. I will tell him to provide you details.”
According to his suggestion, this reporter talked to concern officials. But they were dillydallying to provide information. “We will provide information over telephone later,” said Noman, an official. Later, he said that, as far they know Afzal is constructing the building in his own land although Khas land of the DCC and the government is situated besides the plot of Afzal. Md Ramzan, a representative of Afzal who came to the spot during the visit, however, claimed that the allegation against Afzal is not true. A dweller of area said if no step is taken to prevent Afzal from constructing the multi-storied building, grabbers will get encouragement and more such cases may happen in future causing inconvenience to the government and DCC estates.
Sources alleged that the officials of the DCC might have links with Afzal and a section of land grabbers, and for this reason, they are not taking initiative to recover the Khas land.
They also alleged that a section of land grabbers headed by Afzal are also playing foul game to occupy Khash land in Banglabazar and other areas of the city.
It is also alleged that unfair practices by both the concerning officers and land grabbers of the DCC caused much inconveniences to the public in this corporation. The citizens are falling prey of this corruption and they are also being exploited by this malpractice.
A city dweller said, “With a state of callousness prevailing in the Dhaka DC Office and reluctance on the part of the officers both in DC and DCC offices to protect government and DCC property has further aggravated the situation.”
Khalid Ahmed, however, admitted that along with the land of DC’s Khatian, some try to occupy the land of DCC through constructing makeshift shops and other temporary structures. The land belonging to drains and canals are mainly targeted. We take initiative when it came to our knowledge, he said.
