Farmland, govt canal filled in Brahmanbaria flouting environmental laws
Political figures allegedly to be blamed
Agricultural land and a government canal in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria are being illegally filled flouting environmental laws, posing a threat to local biodiversity and ecology.
Sources familiar with the matter said an influential group has been filling agricultural land alongside a government canal near the Nabinagar-Companiganj road in Jinodpur village since late April, raising fears that drainage channels could be blocked.
The group is allegedly led by Golam Mawla Bhuiyan, senior joint convener of Nabinagar municipality's Jubo Dal unit, along with Billa Hossain, general secretary of Jinodpur union Jubo League, and at least 10 others.
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Most of the land has already been filled.
Nabinagar upazila administration conducted a drive last week and halted the filling, but locals say the group is preparing to resume operations.
Jubo Dal leader Golam Mawla Bhuiyan denied leading the effort, saying a local resident named Sohel is behind the filling and that he has only taken a sand-filling contract.
Nabinagar Assistant Commissioner (Land) Khalid Bin Mansur said authorities have already stopped the filling once, warning that a mobile court will be deployed to take legal action if attempts resume.
Brahmanbaria-5 (Nabinagar) MP Md Abdul Mannan said filling agricultural land will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
"If anyone from our party is involved, action will be taken against them as well," he said.
