Cox's Bazar Correspondent
The local people of Chakaria upazila in Cox’s Bazar are unhappy with the authorities concerned over their land acquisition policy for some government projects, including deep-sea port project and Matarbari coal-fired power plant project.
They expressed their displeasure over the land acquisition policy through forming a human chain at Badarkhali Bazaar at the upazila on Sunday. They said that the authorities concerned have fixed unacceptable price rate to land-losers, as the rate is 15 times less than the current market price of the land in the area.
Badarkhali Cooperative Agricultural and Colonial Society, the largest co-operative society of South Asia, organized the human chain programme demanding assurance of fair price of the land acquisition. The speakers at the time sought Prime Minister’s interference into the matter.
President of the cooperative society Nurul Alam Sikder presided over the event while, General Secretary Nurul Alam Jani and Vice president Ali Mohammad Kajal spoke at the time.
The speakers said that Government acquired 500 acres of land owned by Badarkhali Cooperative Agricultural and Colonial Society for various development projects in the area. The acquired land covers settlements, shops and farming land of the members of the cooperative society.
However, according to them the authorities have fixed a rate of Tk 8 lakh for 40 decimal acquired land whereas, 40 decimal land in the area is currently being sold at about Tk 1 crore 20 lakh. Therefore, they want the authorities to ensure fair price for their land.