Hasina gives 900 acres of land to India for free to maintain power!

When many people hear about Mirsarai in Chittagong, the blue waves of the Bay of Bengal and the busy Dhaka-Chittagong highway come to mind. But there has been a stir over the issue of free transfer of 900 acres of land to the Indian company Adani Group in this strategic area.

The Bangladesh Special Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) said that during her visit to Delhi in April 2017 at the special invitation of India, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed to give land to the Mirsarai Economic Zone. Initially, 1,055 acres of land was planned, but later it was decided to reduce it to 900 acres.

An agreement was signed with Adani Port and Special Economic Zone in 2019. In another agreement in 2022, it was decided that 65 percent of the equipment used in the project will have to be imported from India. That is, all the work of the project will be under the control of India, while Bangladesh will only play the role of an observer.

The common people of the area are worried. Local farmers have expressed anger over the fear of losing their land. “Sheikh Hasina has given such a large land to India just to stay in power. Bangladesh has no interest here,” said military analyst Maj (retd) Mohammad Mustafa.

Researcher Mujahidul Islam added, “This project could create a mini-India in Mirsarai, which is a threat to the country’s sovereignty and security.”

The project is currently on hold and under re-evaluation. Locals will be able to enter the area after August 5, 2024. In addition, 700 acres of land are now vacant.