Collected PhotoThe Goalanda upazila administration, in collaboration with Rajbari Municipality, has begun surveying and demarcating municipal land allegedly occupied illegally in the Purabhita area of Daulatdia union in Rajbari's Goalanda upazila.
The initiative aims to identify the municipality's land and recover it from illegal occupation. The administration said necessary measures, including the possible demolition of unauthorised structures, would be taken following the survey and completion of legal procedures.
The survey began around 1:00pm on Monday (October 26) under the supervision of Goalanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Saiful Huda and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Muntasir Hasan Khan.
Surveyors from Rajbari Municipality and the upazila land office, local political leaders, journalists and residents were present during the measurement process.
According to upazila administration sources, Rajbari Municipality owns approximately two acres of land in the Purabhita area, much of which has allegedly been occupied for residential and other construction purposes.
The survey is being conducted to determine the exact boundaries of the municipality's property and identify any encroachments.
Speaking to journalists, UNO Saiful Huda said the land belongs to Rajbari Municipality, although previous land records also indicate some ownership by Bangladesh Railway.
"Rajbari Municipality submitted an application to us regarding the property. According to its records, the municipality owns approximately two acres and nine decimals of land here. We have started measuring and demarcating the land to identify the municipality's property and hand it over to the authorities concerned," he said.
The UNO said surveyors from both the municipality and the upazila land office were working together in the presence of local representatives, political leaders, journalists and residents to ensure transparency in the process.
"For a long time, there have been complaints about various problems in the Purabhita area, including drug-related activities. We want to improve the area's reputation. Our primary objective is to recover the municipality's land. If necessary, an eviction drive will be conducted against illegal occupants," he added.
Among those present were former Goalanda Upazila BNP president Md Sultan Nur Islam Munnu Molla, former general secretary Md Shahidul Islam Bablu, incumbent general secretary Md Mosharraf Ahmed and former member secretary Nazirul Islam Titas, along with other upazila and union-level BNP leaders.
Officials said the survey and boundary demarcation would help establish the extent of municipal ownership. Further action against illegal encroachments would be taken after verification of land records and completion of the required legal procedures.
Local residents expressed hope that the administration's initiative would help resolve long-standing problems in Purabhita and protect public property from illegal occupation.
FP/MIB
