A BNP leader in Cumilla’s Daudkandi has been accused of illegally taking control of government land originally allocated to a landless person for rehabilitation and farming. The land, granted to Masud Alam in the 1989–90 fiscal year, was reportedly occupied by Abul Hashem, joint convener of Cumilla North District BNP, who is also Alam’s cousin. Locals allege that Hashem has held the land for 36 years and is now preparing to construct a multistoried building there.
Residents claim that Hashem’s political influence has prevented any protest, while the local administration has remained inactive. Daudkandi BNP convener Abdul Latif Bhuiya described the construction as illegal and unethical, urging legal action if irregularities are proven. Hashem, however, denied the allegations, stating that he lawfully transferred the land to his name through the sub-registry office and has been using it since.
Daudkandi’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer said no formal complaint has been received, while the district commissioner confirmed that transferring or constructing on land allocated for the landless is legally prohibited.