Rupganj Correspondent: Serious allegations have surfaced against ACI Salt Company, accused of illegally occupying around eight bighas (approximately 221 decimals) of land belonging to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in the Mongolkhaly area of Murapara Union, Rupganj upazila, Narayanganj. Locals claim that despite repeated complaints, the administration has remained silent.
According to an investigation, ACI Salt has built and been operating its factory on BWDB’s government-owned land along the banks of the Shitalakkhya River. Locals allege that the company used its political influence, particularly during the tenure of a previous local government, to grab the land through the help of former Murapara Union Parishad Chairman Tofail Ahmed Almas.
Residents also accuse the company of dumping industrial waste directly into the river, causing serious environmental pollution. They say salt particles in the air are corroding tin roofs of nearby houses and damaging crops due to soil salinity. Fishermen report fish dying in the river as the water becomes increasingly saline, putting their livelihoods at risk.
“The pollution has made our lives miserable,” said a local farmer. “Our crops no longer grow as before, and we have to repair our houses frequently because the tin roofs rust so quickly.”
Despite these long-standing complaints, the local administration has yet to take any visible action. Locals allege that powerful influences behind the company have prevented effective enforcement.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board Act clearly prohibits the illegal occupation or construction on BWDB-owned land. Under the Government Property (Recovery of Possession) Ordinance, 1970, the government or the relevant authority has the right to evict any individual or organisation that illegally occupies state property. BWDB lands fall fully under this legal protection.
Niamul Bari, manager of ACI Salt, claimed that the company had obtained the land legally through a lease from the Water Development Board. However, he failed to produce any valid documents to substantiate this claim.
When contacted, Saiful Islam Joy, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Rupganj, said: “If the Water Development Board officially communicates with us and issues a letter requesting assistance, we will deploy an executive magistrate to conduct an eviction drive to recover the government land.”
Meanwhile, Md Rakibul Alam Rajib, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Water Development Board in Narayanganj, confirmed that ACI Salt had submitted documents seeking lease renewal. “However,” he said, “the Water Development Board has not renewed or approved any lease for this land. If any permanent structure has been built on government property, we will carry out an eviction drive through the local administration.”
Environmental activists and local residents have urged immediate government intervention, demanding the recovery of BWDB property and action against pollution caused by industrial waste. They argue that both the local community and natural ecosystem are suffering due to the company’s operations and the authorities’ continued inaction.
