Land grabbers are digging a pond on government land in Jamalpur and are selling the extracted soil to brick kilns. 

Local people say that the land in Nirkhal Beel area under Shahbahpur Union Parishad is being dug by a group of people from dawn to dusk every day. This way, they have dug three ponds on nearly 70% of land in the area.  

Locals fear that the shores of the ponds will ultimately damage the croplands during monsoon. On the other hand, the land grabbers are doing a thriving business by selling the soil. 

The local administration has also turned a blind eye to the matter, locals allege. 

While visiting the area recently, this reporter came to know that Muksed Ali, Motaleb and their followers are carrying out the digging. Both the accused hail from Titpalla Saitenipara area. Locals alleged that the soil extracted by Muksed and Motaleb are sold to a brick kiln named Alfa. 

Asked, Muksed and Motaleb told this reporter that they have taken the land on lease and are now digging ponds on it. 

Mojibur Rahman, assistant land officer of Shahabazpur Union Parishad, said that they had asked the accused to stop digging the government land and digging was stopped.  

Shihabul Arif, assistant commissioner (land) of Jamalpur Sadar Upazila, said that he was unaware of the matter and would take necessary action after gathering information on it. 

Md Shariful Islam, additional deputy commissioner (revenue), told this reporter that he did not know of the matter either.