Locals Accused of Blocking Bridge to Grab Government Land in Kashiani

Several influential locals have been accused of attempting to grab government-owned land by blocking the opening of a bridge built by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Kashiani, Gopalganj.

The obstruction has raised fears of waterlogging across a vast wetland by preventing water from draining beneath the bridge. Farmland belonging to thousands of farmers is also at risk. During the monsoon, the route used to transport paddy and other agricultural produce by boat could become impassable.

The incident occurred at an LGED bridge near Miabari in Chhotobahirbag, along the Narail–Fukra road in Fukra Union of the upazila.

Local residents have submitted a written complaint to the Gopalganj deputy commissioner.

According to the complaint, several people, including influential Chhotobahirbag residents Biku Mia, Roiz Mia, Mostak Mia and Akbar Molla, have been filling government khas land under plot No. 676 with sand alongside privately owned land. They have already completely blocked the bridge opening with bamboo and netting.

If water can no longer flow beneath the bridge, the surrounding wetlands will not drain properly. This could cause waterlogging on farmland and make it unsuitable for cultivation. The obstruction could also disrupt the transport of paddy and other agricultural produce by boat during the monsoon, causing severe hardship for farmers.

Several farmers, including Sumon Mia, Nazmul Mallick, Mashiur Mallick and Tunnu Mia, said they had hundreds of bighas of cultivable land in the wetland area. They warned that blocking the bridge opening with sand would cause waterlogging across extensive farmland, disrupting crop production and inflicting significant losses.

They called for the immediate removal of the obstruction to restore normal water flow and protect their farmland. They also urged the administration to intervene without delay.

One of the accused, Roiz Mia, denied the allegations when contacted by phone. “I am not doing this alone. A road is being built on behalf of local residents to provide access to the cemetery. However, there is some government land there,” he said.

Kashiani Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Shaheen Mia said he was unaware of the matter. “I will look into it and take the necessary steps. No activity that harms farmers or involves the occupation of government property will be allowed,” he said.