The upazila administration has conducted a campaign against the discussed and controversial 'Rimjhim Housing' project in Bholab Union of Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj on Thursday.
The project, accused of illegal occupation of agricultural land and sand filling, violation of environmental rules, and occupation of government canals and land, has long been a cause of discontent among the locals.
It is learned that the 'Rimjhim Housing' authorities are selling plots by filling agricultural land with sand without permission. At the same time, they are misleading the public by installing signboards and advertising. Locals complain that the project is being built on natural reservoirs and government canals in the area, which has led to waterlogging and environmental disaster.
In this regard, several victims including Charitaluk, Hankata, Pubergaon, Gutulia, Karatia of Bholab Union said that when the locals applied to the Supreme Court in 2018, the court ruled in their favor and ordered a stop to sand filling on Rimjhim Housing's agricultural land. Later, in 2019, the chairman of 'Rimjhim Housing', Md. Oliur Rahman, appealed against the verdict in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, but the Appellate Division dismissed it. In this, the project was recognized as legally illegal.
Locals alleged that despite the court verdict, the Rimjhim Housing Authority is continuing its activities without any regard for the law. As a result, welcoming the administration's recent campaign, the locals have demanded a permanent closure of the project.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam said on behalf of the upazila administration that regular campaigns will be conducted against the illegal housing project and all necessary steps will be taken to implement the court's instructions.
