Grab the land grabbers in Khilgaon!

It is shocking that while the whole nation is grappling with a pandemic, there have been instances of land grabbing in Khilgaon, Dhaka. According to a report published recently by this daily, as most people remain indoors or uninvolved because of the pandemic, encroachers are using this opportunity to take over unguarded and empty plots of land in Khilgaon. The report further reveals that in the last few months, grabbers aided by a former Chhatra League leader and a sacked police constable have taken control of at least a dozen plots in Nandipara area by building boundary walls and putting up signboards around them. Landowners and locals alleged that a high official of the Khilgaon Police Station provided shelter to the criminals.

The incident came under public scrutiny after the principal of Dhaka Dental College, on behalf of the plot owners, submitted a prayer on June 24 to the deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Motijheel Division) seeking legal support, following which the police began their investigation. Prior to that, when he submitted three complaints to Khilgaon Police Station, they did not take any action nor did they register any case. Later when the principal filed a case with Khilgaon Police Station on July 1, police arrested the prime accused Masud Ahmed and his partner Ziaur Rahman Pintu. However, active land grabbers are still at large in Khilgaon. Visiting the area on July 4, our correspondent witnessed new boundary walls being built around seven to eight separate plots. A temporary tin-shed room was also found on the principal's plot. Various other landowners talked about experiencing a similar fate, who had trouble registering a general diary at the police station. Moreover, when the plot owners tried to recover their property, the criminals claimed large amounts of money from them!

The above incidents highlight the audacity of these land grabbers who carry out their crimes with impunity. These acts cannot go unpunished and legal action must be taken. In order to keep the plots from being plundered, law enforcement officers should strictly monitor the area and make sure they are protected from land grabbers. The authorities must also thoroughly investigate the matter to find out why complaints couldn't be registered at the police station and bring all the perpetrators to book. Needless to say, it is the responsibility of the law enforcers to assure the safety and security of the people and their property.