Tribute to Munier Chy, education for children lost to land dispute

A local elderly resident shows rods sticking out of a broken pole on the premises of the primary school, established to commemorate martyred intellectual Munier Chowdhury, at Gopairbagh village in Noakhali’s Chatkhil upazila. The school has remained shut for 22 years over land dispute. Photo: Star

Land dispute has locked up, over two decades, a primary school that had been opened up, in 1972, to commemorate martyred intellectual Prof Munier Chowdhury.

Numerous attempts to reopen the school, which was located at Gopairbagh village in Shahapur union No 1 of Noakhali's Chatkhil upazila, went in vain as a case remains under trial stage over the dispute.

Locals urged the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to reopen the school for preserving the memories of Munier Chowdhury. Even, there is no school in the village till now.

During a recent visit, it was seen that there are some poles on the school premises. It is very difficult to understand that once there was a school in the village.

In 1972, former late chairman of local union parishad Shamsuddin, cousin of Munier Chowdhury, established the school.

A local woman, Karimun Nesa, donated 54 decimals of land for the school, said Golam Haider Kajal, nephew of Munier Chowdhury and son of Shamsuddin.

Even, the land was registered in the name of the school in government's field survey in 1986, said Kajal, also chairman of local union parishad.

But later Karimun Ness's son - in - law Anwar Hossain Iran filed a case challenging legality of donating the land.

The land dispute has been going on between the school authorities and Anwar since filing of the case.

The case remains under trial in court, said Nazrul Islam, a former headmaster of the school.

Even, special financial allocations were approved twice for infrastructural development of the school.

But the money was sent back as a case remains under trial over the school's land, said Nazrul.

Around 22 years ago, the school collapsed during storm, said Tapan Malakar, a local resident, adding that the school has been remaining shut since then.

In December 2014, the issue was brought to light again by Chatkhil upazila parishad chairman Md Jahangir Kabir in Upazila Monthly Coordination Meeting.

Since then, several discussions and attempts were made to rebuild the school. But no progress has so far been made.

Contacted, Anwar said "I also want reopening of the school. Negotiation is going on with the school authorities to settle the issue."

Chatkhil Upazila Nirbahi Officer ASM Mosa said he was not aware of the issue. He would take necessary measures in this regard.

Talking to The Daily Star, Chatkhil upazila parishad chairman Jahangir Kabir, local lawmaker HM Ibrahim and Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Khorshed Alam said they all would take coordinated measures to reopen the school.