A local seed trader is openly defending his decision to set up shop extensions on a public road, claiming the land rightfully belongs to him and causing significant obstruction for pedestrians.
In a startling statement on Wednesday morning, Mohammad Mujibur Rahman Talukdar (60), a seed trader from Chitalmari Upazila Sadar Bazaar, said, "This is my recorded land, which is why I have set up the shop extensions on the road. I have given the space for the people's needs. The government has merely paved that land."
His justification stands in stark contrast to the experience of daily commuters. Pedestrians like Aslam Fakir, Chandu Mia, and Rafiq Mollah expressed their frustration, stating, "People now avoid everything. No one will say anything even if they get hit and bruised on the nose, face, eyes, forehead, and head by this illegally built shop extension. They will neither complain nor protest. Otherwise, how could such an obstruction to public movement be created on the road next to the Chhitlamari Sadar Bazaar's Sobuj Sangha Club?"
Local permanent residents and businesspeople, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the area is, in fact, a government road, officially paved with concrete. They alleged that 6 to 7 shops have illegally erected their extensions on it. They also complained that local business leaders, preoccupied with the upcoming elections, are paying no attention to the issue.
When contacted, Chitalmari Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mithun Maitra said, "We were not aware of this matter. We are immediately looking into it through the Naib (executive officer) and will take necessary action."
