Grabbers eye bridge approach road, canal

Land grabbers have set up a number of RCC pillars on the approach road on both sides of a newly constructed bridge over a canal at Chhatiantoli under Kola union of Sirajdikhan upazila to build shops and other concrete structures.

Locals apprehend that the callous act, if allowed to continue, will badly affect the bridge approach road adjacent to Munshiganj-Sreenagar highway and cause virtual death to the canal.

Seeking anonymity, several people said Rony Chowdhury, assistance secretary of Bangladesh Central League’s central committee, started setting up pillars on the canal land near Chhatiantoli High School a couple of months ago.

Afterwards, several other local influential people joined the act.

Asked about the matter, Rony said, “I am not involved with land grabbing. Some other people constructed shops near the approach road.”

“Some shops were demolished during the bridge construction work. After completion of the bridge, the previous owners started attempt to rebuild the shops at the site and they have submitted applications to the zila parishad for the purpose,” he added.

Contacted over phone on Wednesday, Munshiganj Zila Parishad’s Chief Executive Officer Shafiqul Islam said, “I cannot recall whether we have received any application seeking permission to construct shops on canals or government land. But I am sure that we have not given any such permission.”

Sreenagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rahima Akter said necessary legal action will be taken if shops are constructed occupying government lands.