Eviction sparks protest in Gaibandha
Human chain formed, mayor's office besieged
Locals form a human chain on Bridge Road in Gaibandha town yesterday demanding end to 'illegal' eviction by authorities. Photo: STAR
Around a thousand people of Gaibandha municipal area yesterday formed a human chain and later laid a siege to the mayor's office for calling a halt to illegal eviction of valid land owners in different areas. The aggrieved victims said that the ADC (Rev) recently served eviction notices on more than 90 families who possessed landed properties with valid documents and had been living there for long 40 to 50 years. Organised by convener of local 'law and order protection committee' Rostum Ali, the human chain was formed in Bridge Road area. Holding banners they chanted slogans against the 'eviction farce' and said the occupants are living in the areas constructing building and business structures and paying land and municipal taxes for decades. Shafinaz Chowdhury, a custodian of Paschim Kamornai Waqf estate, also demanded recovery of lands sold by the heirs under registered deeds. The protesters alleged that the district administration ignoring the legal ownership served eviction notices intentionally terming all as trespassers. They warned of tougher agitation programme if the administration did not stop the illegal eviction immediately. The protesters later laid a siege to the office of the mayor of Gaibandha pourrashava. Mayor Anwarul Hasan Sabur assured the people that none can evict them without his knowledge since they are all tax payers and legal poura citizens. On Sunday, hundreds of residents of Paschim Kamoranai held a press conference at the local press club to express their grievances. They also sought help of top government officials, political leaders and human rights bodies to stop 'illegal' eviction.
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