In Narsingdi’s Baburhat, illegal shops are being built on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, reportedly under a multimillion-taka land trade scheme. The report says a group involving local land officials and market committee leaders is collecting three to four lakh taka per plot for temporary shop foundations. This activity is narrowing the river and damaging the heritage of Baburhat, the country’s largest wholesale fabric market.

According to the source, the initiative is allegedly coordinated by the Shilmandi Union land officer and the Baburhat traders’ association president, who is also a local political leader. Despite previous eviction drives and warning signs from the district administration, new tin-shed and even multi-storey structures are being erected without approval. Victimized traders claim they are forced to pay for illegal plots while officials deny wrongdoing.

Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan Keya stated that the administration, along with the river protection committee and the Department of Environment, is taking action against illegal encroachment and will investigate the Baburhat case further.