Allotment of forest land to school cancelled

The government has cancelled the allotment of 155.7 acres of reserved forest land allocated to Shaheed ATM Zafar Alam Cadet College in Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar.

The Ministry of Land revoked the allotment on December 10 in favour of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ICT and Education) and the principal (in charge) of Shaheed Zafar Alam Cadet College.

The cancellation order, signed by Deputy Secretary Masud Kamal, was issued following objections from the adviser of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

Md Rashidul Islam, upazila nirbahi officer of Ramu, said the institution's name was previously changed to Shaheed ATM Zafar Alam Multidiscipline Academy.

The UNO confirmed receiving the cancellation letter and stated that the land would be brought under their supervision.

He said, "There are two structures inside the premises of the educational institution. We haven't received any directive about the institution."

Sources at Cox's Bazar District Commissioner's Office said the Ministry of Lands had informed the district commissioner on February 16, 2016, about the decision to provide long-term settlement for the land in favour of the school.

 A letter signed by Joint Secretary Zahidul Islam said 155.7 acres of land under 1,494 plots in Khas Khatyan 1 at Khuniapalong Mauza, Ramu upazila, were to be settled for a price of 7.7 lakh taka -- a significantly reduced rate from its assessed value of 77 lakh taka.

The institution was established by Shafiul Alam, former cabinet division secretary, in honour of his elder brother.

Shafiul served as cabinet division secretary under the Awami League government from 2015 to 2019.

Despite repeated objections from the Forest Department and environment ministry, who had written several letters requesting the cancellation of the settlement, the allotment was not revoked during his tenure.

According to the Forest Department, thousands of trees were felled immediately after the land allocation.

An official from the Cox's Bazar district administration claimed Shafiul used his position of power to secure the land allotment, leaving the administration unable to oppose it at the time.