Habiganj, Oct 05 (V7N) – Landowners affected by the acquisition process for the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway six-lane expansion project held a human chain in Madhabpur upazila on Sunday, demanding fair market prices for their land and adequate compensation.
The human chain was held around noon beside the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in the Noapara area. Affected landowners, business owners and local residents from different parts of the upazila took part in the programme.
Speakers at the event included Masum Billah, Haji Shafiqul Islam, Shawon Mia and Humayun Ahmed, among others.
The speakers said upgrading the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway to six lanes would improve the country’s communication network and contribute to economic activities. However, they stressed that local people should not be deprived of their lawful rights in the name of development.
They said many families facing land acquisition could lose their homesteads, agricultural land and businesses as a result of the project. They expressed concern that compensation may not adequately reflect the actual market value of the acquired land.
The affected landowners called for fair valuation of the acquired land and prompt payment of compensation.
They said they were not opposed to the highway expansion project but wanted the rights and interests of affected people to be protected alongside development.
The speakers warned that failure to ensure proper compensation could leave many families facing serious financial and social hardship.
The human chain also called for a review of the land acquisition process, compensation based on prevailing market prices, rehabilitation of affected people and greater transparency throughout the process.
The participants expressed hope that the government would give equal importance to the interests of affected landowners while implementing the major infrastructure project and ensure that no one is deprived of their rightful compensation.
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