A local influential person is building a multistoried building allegedly grabbing 3,600 square feet land in the Kobadak River in Moheshpur upazila under the district.   

Visiting the spot recently, this correspondent found that the alleged grabber has already built five-foot-high 20 columns to construct 12 rooms on the west side of Alampur Bridge, encroaching upon a good portion of the river land.       

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ashafur Rahman said the structure, being built on river land, is illegal.

"We will take necessary action in this regard. No one would be permitted to build any structure in river area," he added.

Mahbubur Rahman, a resident of Balidapara village under Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah, who started the construction three months ago, claimed that he has purchased the eight-decimal plot, owned by some Abul Hossain of Alampur village for Tk 15 lakh.

"Before purchasing the plot, I scrutinised the land records of 1926 and 1962. If the plot belongs to river area I will surrender it to the government," said Mahbubur, who runs fertilizer business in Kotchandpur upazila town of the same district.

An elderly person seeking anonymity said some unscrupulous people showing fake document are grabbing river land while the administration seems reluctant to take action in this regard.    

Water of the river in the area remains stagnant round the year except some flow in rainy season. 

Taking the opportunity of the reluctance of the authority, grabbers occupy the lands of the river in different parts, locals alleged.