Municipal chairman demands withdrawal of civil surgeon

Gaibandha pourashava employees, led by the chairman on April 19 occupied the land at Khapara, claiming that it belonged to the municipality. The civil surgeon's office also claims its ownership.

At a press conference at Gaibandha Press Club, the pourasabha chairman claimed that the 4.70 decimal plot at Khapara was donated by the British rulers for setting up of Gaibandha municipality and that was recorded in 1940 land records (Khatian No. 2016, 6029, 5672).

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

In 1960, the property was also recorded in favour of Gaibandha pourashava.

After shifting of the pourashava building to P K Biswas Road, the property was being used by the health department, where Gaibandha district hospital was set up. After shifting of Gaibandha hospital, the complex was being used as a centre for EPI programme. The health department did not return the property to the pourasabha despite several letters, he claimed.

The civil surgeon earlier claimed that the land belonged to the health ministry.

Three former pourasabha chairmen--Abdur Rashid Sarker, Mohammed Khaled and Wahiduzzaman Khan Tituwho were present at the press conference also said the land belonged to the pourasabha.

Because of the row, all EPI vaccination programme in 13 unions and in the municipal areas are stopped for the last three days.

Many women and children who came to government health care centres in the district town in last three days left disappointed, health officials said.