A haystack is seen on the grounds of Hemnagar Degree College campus, in Gopalpur upazila of Tangail Dhaka Tribune
An Awami League leader is alleged to have established the farm
There are allegations that an Awami League leader has illegally established a cattle farm, on the grounds of Hemnagar Degree College campus, in Gopalpur upazila of Tangail.
Some individuals have also complained that operations at this illegal structure severely disrupt the academic atmosphere at the college, where the HSC exam is presently taking place.
In 1979, Hemnagar Degree College was established on 6.33 acres land of The Rajbari, an ancestral home, renowned as Poridalan by Zamindar Hemchandra Chowdhury.
Acting Principal of the college, Nurul Islam said: "Hemnagar union Awami League Organizing Secretary and UP member Mahbub Hasan Tutul has used his influence, of being part of the ruling party, to build a cattle farm on the college premises.
"Other temporary establishments—such as sheds for haystacks, and abodes for employees—were also built to maintain the illegal farm, along with a gate, after demolishing The Rajbari's fort on which the college was built."
He added that wire fencing surrounding the illegal farm has become a popular hiding spot for drug addicts carrying out illicit activities.
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Some complained that HSC exams were disrupted because of farm activities
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Some allege that illegal drug activities were carried out at the fence surrounding the farm.
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Top authorities were asked to take necessary action in this regard
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The Awami League has denied the farm being illegal
"The Rajbari', as well as the college's, premises have become dirty as cattle are moving on the grounds all the time; even tourists are startled by the unclean surroundings.
"On top of that, the HSC examinees are having to sit for their exams amid this detrimental and unhygienic setting. Some student and guardians have even expressed their discomfort regarding the matter."
Locals, along with the college's Governing Body member and Hemnagar Union Parishad Chairman Rawshan Khan Aiyub, alleged that Tutul illegally leased a pond inside The Rajbari in collaboration with former principal Biren Chandra Gop, a few years ago.
They said then under the guise of this lease, Tutul established a cattle farm there, disrupting the academic ambiance of the college.
Member of the college's governing body and upazila chairman Yunus Islam Talukdar said: "The upazila administration has been requested to take necessary action in this regard."
Commenting on the matter, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Bikash Biswas said: "A notice has been sent to Mahbub Hasan Tutul to remove his illegal cattle farm, but he did not obey the administration's orders. Legal action will be taken against him very soon."
Awami League leader Mahbub Hasan Tutul said: "If the authority orders, I will remove my cattle farm from the premises. However, I believe this is a joint conspiracy making these allegations against me to nullify the legal lease of the pond."
