A paved road has been running through the middle of the only playground of Kamarkhola Government Primary School in Maijkhar Union of Chandina Upazila in Comilla for a long time. The road, which is about 75 feet long and 10 to 12 feet wide, has divided the school field into two parts. There are concerns about the safety of 252 students as vehicles ply on this road every day.The school is accompanied by Forkania Madrasa, Jama Masjid and Khanka. The school field is also used for various events such as social gatherings, mahfils, Eidgahs and funerals. But since the road runs through the middle of the field, it is not possible to use the entire field at once.The school authorities claim that even though there was space for a road outside the school field according to the government design, the road was taken through the school field about two decades ago. Talking to locals, it is known that initially the school land was used as a temporary alternative route, but later it was converted into a paved road and is being used permanently.Now, initiatives have been taken to further expand that road.A survey is underway by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to expand the road. According to the plan, the road can be 18 feet wide. Teachers, guardians and local residents fear that this will further increase the pressure on the school grounds.The school's headmaster, Madhav Chandra Banik, submitted a written application to the Chandina Upazila Nirbahi Officer on April 10, 2025, to remove the road. The application was recorded in memorandum number 713. A written application has also been made to the District Primary Education Office and the Deputy Commissioner.Later, on April 27, 2025, an application was made to the Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) for a surveyor to determine the location of the school land and the road according to the government design. According to school sources, on July 29, 2025, the surveyor of the Upazila Land Office, Sayela Sharmin, and chainman Nazmul Haque, measured the school land and road on the spot. But even after a long time, the road was not removed.On June 12, 2025, the Assistant Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Nurul Islam, and local people reached a consensus on removing the road from the school grounds and taking the road according to the government design.After presenting the decision in writing, the people present signed it and submitted it to the Upazila Executive Officer.Local resident Motaleb said that according to the government design, there was a road system on the north side of the school. The road was located from the north-west corner of the Sampura Bari graveyard to the gate of the current Kamarkhola Eidgah Central Jame Mosque. When the old road adjacent to the north bank of the Sampura Bari pond was damaged, an alternative route was started on the school land to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and vehicles. Later, that alternative route was not removed.Saiful Islam, Additional Administrator (General) of Comilla District, said, “If the District Administrator has filed a complaint, the UNO will be asked to take action. The UNO will consider the overall issue and take action.”When asked about the complaints of the school authorities and the demands of the locals, Chandina Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Ashraful Haque said, “There is some difficulty as the road passes through the middle of the school grounds. Based on the complaints of the school authorities, we have informed the LGED about the removal of the road.”Chandina Upazila Engineer Golam Ullah said, “We have received complaints from them. We are conducting a survey for road expansion work. It will be 18 feet wide. If an 18-foot road passes through the field, the suffering will increase further. We are discussing with them how to demolish the building on the south side of the road.”Meanwhile, there are also questions about the ownership and registration of 39 percent of the school’s land in addition to the road.According to school sources, although there are documents, 39 percent of the land has not been registered in the name of the school. Of this, 16 percent of the land had the opportunity to be registered, but it was not done.On the other hand, school sources claim that the remaining 23 percent of the land is in the names of Ali Akbar and A. Matin Gong, but in fact they do not have that amount of property in their names. The amount of their registered property is 3 percent. A section of locals claim that irregularities or fraud occurred in showing the amount of land during school registration.In addition, school sources have learned that although the family of school teacher Jahangir Alam donated land in the name of the school, about 0.30 percent of the property is registered in the names of Jahangir Alam and his two brothers.Admitting the truth of these allegations, teacher Jahangir Alam said, "A small part of the donated land was mistakenly registered in our name. I have filed the application. I will return the school land to the school."School principal Madhav Chandra Banik said, "A solution should be found by verifying the government design, land records and on-site reality, so that there is a road for public movement but the only playground for 252 children is not further compressed by the pressure of the road."Roads are needed, but children also need a safe field. And if a new school committee is formed, an attempt will be made to resolve the land-related issue.
6 July 2026
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