Govt urged to drop land acquiring plan

Under the banner of the Committee to Prevent Land Acquisition (CPLA), they sought the prime minister's intervention to halt the move to acquire the lands along the proposed link road from Panthapath to Pragati Sarani.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, representatives of the locals said nearly five lakh people belonging to the middle and low-income groups would be affected badly.

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The CPLA leaders alleged that some government officials have been trying to hand over the 333 acres of land to private developers since 1995.

"Influenced by some private land developers, they are trying to give away these lands," said Alam Khan, a former BNP lawmaker.

The representatives also alleged that the government had earlier acquired 475 acres of land in the same area, compensating the landowners with a nominal amount.

"We bought low lying lands with the money. So if our land is acquired again this time, it would be difficult for us to survive," said Syed Mohammed Hossain, CPLA president.

"We do not have anything against the proposed link road. It's just that we will not hand over even an inch of land beyond the requirements of the road," said a statement signed by the CPLA leaders.

Ward Commissioner Fazilatunnesa and former lawmaker Shahina Khan also spoke at the press conference.