Minister accuses local leader of encroachment on govt land
The Statesman | 20 August 2025
Library minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury has levelled charges of land encroachment against the sabhapati of the Trinamul Congress-led Monteswar panchayat samiti.
Mr Chowdhury, who is the local MLA of Monteswar, today visited the East Burdwan district magistrate’s office and lodged a complaint against Sheikh Ahmed Hossen, the sabhapati of the local panchayat samiti. The minister has sought immediate action against Sheikh. He alleged: “Sheikh has already grabbed substantial amounts of vested land, government land and Waqf land over the years and sold many of these illegally acquired properties. I have gathered sufficient documentary evidence to support my claim.”
Chowdhury was recently attacked in his constituency, which he claimed was “conspired and engineered by Sheikh and his ruffian aides.” In retaliation, the minister began investigating Sheikh’s alleged unlawful trade in selling government lands.
Responding to the allegations, Sheikh said: “The minister is possibly being misled by someone and has begun taking unnecessary steps to malign me and tarnish the image of our party. I have already informed our party’s district president.”
Meanwhile, the East Burdwan district administration has decided to begin a probe into the minister’s allegations. East Burdwan district magistrate Ayesha Rani A said: “His complaint has been recorded and we will begin an investigation accordingly. However, we are yet to receive the land details from the complainant in this matter.”