Some influential persons, including an upazila parishad chairman and Awami League leaders, are occupying a canal besides the Charsubudhi Bazar under Raipura upazila.

These people are also filling up the mouth of a culvert on the canal to set up storehouses and grocery shops.

Locals have already raised their voices in protest and demanded that the illegal establishments be evicted. They have submitted a letter to the UNO of Raipura upazila in this regard.  The locals say that Hairmara UP chairman Mahfujul Haque Babla and his associates have been instrumental behind filling up the canal, which is the only way to drain the water in most areas around the Charsubuddin Union Market. However, Mahfujul Haque Babla said that his land had gone under water due to heavy rain in the monsoon. He claimed he was only trying to recover his land by dumping sand.

The filling up of the canal may result in a catastrophic situation in the rainy season. The flow of water is likely to be disrupted, resulting in hundreds of people and houses being imprisoned in the water.  Assistant Commissioner (land) Md Mahmudur Rahman Khandaker visited the area yesterday and fixed the boundary of the canal.

He also directed that the construction on the canal be removed within a short time.

"We have set boundaries to free the canal and evict illegal establishments. Legal action will be taken against those who would try to occupy the canal," he said.