Jamaat Leader Accused of Taking Over Public Playground in Sirajganj
A local leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has been accused of taking over government-owned land used by children and young people as a playground in Ullapara, Sirajganj, triggering protests by students and residents.
The four-bigha plot in Naokair village, Solop Union, had long been used by local children and youths for football, cricket and other recreational activities. Residents alleged that tractors were used to plough the land on Thursday evening, October 15, and again on Friday morning, October 16.
Hekmat Ali Sarkar, Jamaat’s president for Ward No. 9 of Solop Union, claims the land belongs to him. According to local residents, he and several others cultivated the plot, prompting students and residents to stage a protest demanding that it be freed and preserved as a playground.
Abul Hossain, a member of the Solop Union Parishad, said the four-bigha plot is recorded as government-owned khas land. In 2019, the land was filled with soil as part of a plan to build housing for landless people, but the project was never completed. Local children and young people subsequently began using the site for sports.
Sarkar alleged that people affiliated with the now-banned Awami League had previously taken control of the land and filled it with soil. Explaining why he had begun cultivating it, he reportedly said, “Now it’s our time.”
However, Abdul Mannan, an administrative officer of Solop Union Parishad, said the land was government property. He added that the allegation of its use for private cultivation would be reported to the upazila administration.
Mohammad Shahjahan Ali, head of Jamaat-e-Islami in Ullapara, disputed the claim that the site was a playground. He said local people had cultivated government land there under leases at different times and claimed they had documents to support their position.
Ullapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Raihanul Islam said the matter would be investigated and necessary action taken promptly.
The dispute has renewed calls from local residents to protect the land for public recreational use.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 17 Oct 2026, 18:00.
