42 homes sold illegally prior to allocation

Allegations have surfaced regarding the unauthorized sale of 42 houses from the Prime Minister's Ashrayan Project, an initiative aimed at providing shelter for the homeless and landless, in Thakurgaon Sadar. 

The project, which constructed 54 houses in the fourth phase near Kalitola Bazar in Jagannathpur Union under Ashrayan Project-2, has seen 12 of these houses allocated to landless individuals, while the remaining 42 have remained unoccupied.

Union Land Assistant Khoken, one of the accused of the irregularities refutes the allegations, labeling them as slander. 

Initially, 54 houses were constructed under Ashrayan Project -2 in Jagannathpur Union, with only 12 allocated to landless individuals, leaving 42 vacant. These unallocated homes fell under the responsibility of the concerned union landlord for maintenance, who, allegedly aided by Union Land Office Assistant Md. Halim and local individual Samad, engaged in unauthorized sales, flouting government regulations.

Victims like Shahnaz Parveen and Tharija Begum recount being misled into occupying these homes, with reports of coercion and extortion surfacing from residents like Touhidul Islam and Chandana in Guchchagram.

Additionally, instances of unauthorized occupancy and potential resale, as highlighted by Md Saidul and Tripoli Rani, further compound the issue. Local UP member Md. Dulal Hossain confirms the unauthorized sales, implicating Khoken, Samad, and Halim as orchestrators, leading residents to believe they are the rightful owners.

Khoken and Halim deny involvement while the Sadar Upazila Executive Officer has pledged to take action upon receiving formal complaints, indicating a potential investigation into the matter. 

Reports suggest that Khoken, along with accomplices Md. Halim and a local individual named Samad, exploited the situation, allegedly extorting money from unsuspecting individuals under the guise of house allocation. Victims such as Shahnaz Parveen and Tharija Begum recount their experiences of being misled and forcibly relocated to these homes.

Local authorities, including Union Land Assistant Khokon and his associate Halim, deny any involvement in the illicit sale of homes.

Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Belayet Hossain has committed to launching an investigation into the allegations, promising to address the issue promptly.