Government land along the Buriganga River in Hasnabad, South Keraniganj, has allegedly been occupied to establish numerous depots selling bricks, sand and stone. The businesses are operating openly along the riverbank and beneath and around the Poshtogola Bridge.
Three political offices belonging to the Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal and Swechhasebak Dal have also allegedly been established by occupying space around the bridge.
Local residents allege that influential leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations are controlling activities in the area. They also claim that traders are regularly being forced to make payments to continue their businesses.
A visit to the Hasnabad end of the Poshtogola Bridge found piles of bricks, sand and stone spread across both sides of the bridge and along the riverbank. Temporary structures have been erected at several locations, with traders using them to run their businesses. Large trucks and cargo boats are reportedly being used to transport construction materials to and from the area.
Residents say the presence of construction materials and heavy vehicles is affecting the riverside environment, while the movement of trucks and other vehicles is creating difficulties for traffic and raising concerns over public safety.
Previous eviction failed to prevent renewed occupation
Local residents say the riverbank, areas around the bridge and government-controlled land have been used for such businesses for years. The current occupation is therefore not viewed locally as a new development.
In 2020, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) conducted an eviction drive against illegal structures built beneath the bridge inside the river boundary marked by boundary pillars. A total of 52 illegal structures used for stone and sand businesses were removed, while structures belonging to 25 traders were demolished.
Residents say similar businesses have since returned to the area.
According to several local residents and traders, between 50 and 60 small and large depots are currently operating along a stretch of roughly 1 to 1.5 kilometres from beneath the Hasnabad Bridge to Mokampara. They allege that between Tk10,000 and Tk12,000 is collected every month from each depot, depending on the nature of the business.
Around 150 small shops are also reportedly operating in the area, with Tk3,000 allegedly collected from each shop every month. Three rickshaw garages are said to contribute a combined Tk38,000.
Local sources claim that between Tk400,000 and Tk450,000 is collected every month from the depots, shops and rickshaw garages. They allege that a substantial portion of the money goes to South Keraniganj thana Swechhasebak Dal president Sohel Rana, general secretary Foyez Ahmed Shahin and thana Jubo Dal joint secretary Arman Hossain. The remaining money is allegedly distributed among more than 50 local BNP and affiliated-organisation activists.
These allegations have not been independently verified.
Political offices allegedly occupy bridge land
The area around the Poshtogola Bridge also contains three political offices belonging to the Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal and Swechhasebak Dal, according to local residents.
The Sramik Dal office is reportedly operated by Mujahid Islam Faruk, vice-president of the thana Sramik Dal. The Tanti Dal office is said to be under the responsibility of a person named Rony. The Swechhasebak Dal office is reportedly operated by followers of Sohel Rana and Foyez Ahmed Shahin. Local residents also allege that people associated with Arman Hossain are involved in activities around the offices.
Residents claim these offices are used to control CNG-run auto-rickshaws and other vehicles travelling across the bridge, as well as shops, construction-material depots, rickshaw garages and the movement of goods along the riverbank.
There are also allegations concerning the business interests of relatives and associates of local political figures. Residents claim that Mannan, brother of Selim Member of Ward 9, and his nephew Amit have depots beneath the bridge.
They also allege that Asif Mahmud, a candidate for president of the South Keraniganj thana Chhatra Dal, and Mujahid Islam Faruk have depots in the area. Local residents further claim that politically connected traders and their relatives are not required to pay rent for their shops or depots.
Some establishments have also been accused of using electricity and water without proper authorisation.
Traders allege pressure over payments
Several traders told local sources that those who fail to make regular payments face obstacles when attempting to establish a depot, store construction materials or continue their businesses. Some also alleged that money is collected by invoking the names of specific influential individuals.
Sohel Rana, president of the South Keraniganj thana Swechhasebak Dal, rejected the allegations. He said he does not live in Hasnabad and has no involvement in the shops beneath the bridge or in collecting money from traders. According to him, local political activists are operating businesses in the area.
Foyez Ahmed Shahin, general secretary of the Swechhasebak Dal, said there had previously been an Awami League club at the location. After Awami League members left following the July uprising, local activists from the Tanti Dal, Sramik Dal and Swechhasebak Dal established political offices there, he said.
Responding to allegations concerning illegal shops, depots and the collection of money, Shahin said local people had established the businesses on government land. He added that they would leave if the government reclaimed the land. He also denied any involvement in extortion.
Arman Hossain, joint secretary of the South Keraniganj thana Jubo Dal, also denied allegations of land occupation and extortion. He said he has no shop beneath the bridge and is not involved in occupying land or collecting money. He described allegations made using his name as inaccurate.
Hossain declined to comment on who collects money in the area. He did, however, acknowledge that three political offices belonging to the Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal and Swechhasebak Dal are operating there.
The reported return of construction-material depots after the 2020 eviction drive has renewed concerns over the management of government land and the Buriganga riverbank in the area. The competing accounts from residents, traders and political figures also underline the need for the allegations to be examined by the relevant authorities before responsibility is established.
