An elderly couple in Savar has been forced to climb a 10-12-foot brick wall and cross a neighbour’s rooftop every time they need to leave their home after their access to the road was allegedly blocked by a wall built in front of their main gate.
The couple, who have lived in their home for more than three decades, say they have been facing the ordeal for nearly eight years.
The incident took place in the Nogorchar area of Rajfulbaria under Tetuljhora union in Savar.
Anisur Rahman, originally from Manpasha village in Jhalokathi Sadar, and his wife, Rashida Begum, bought four decimals of land in Rajfulbaria in 1995 and built their home there.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found the couple using a wooden ladder to climb onto a neighbour’s rooftop before making their way outside. At their age, the risky route has made even routine activities, such as going to a hospital or buying essential items, difficult.
Anisur alleged that Aslam, the brother of former union member Ayub, had tried to buy his land for Tk10 lakh during the previous Awami League government.
“I refused to sell the land. Later, Aslam allegedly built a wall in front of our gate, cutting off our access to the road. Since then, we have had to use a ladder and cross a neighbour’s roof to leave our home,” he said.
Anisur said the couple had been using the makeshift route for about eight years.
Rashida said the situation becomes particularly difficult when someone in the family falls ill.
“Taking a sick person to hospital is extremely difficult because we have to cross another person’s rooftop first,” she said.
Aslam was unavailable for comment when this correspondent visited the area.
However, Ziaur Rahman, manager of Aslam’s house, said Aslam had purchased four decimals of land from a person named Reza.
He claimed that Anisur later had a road recorded alongside his property in the BS record. A case has since been filed in court seeking cancellation of the record, he said.
Aman Ullah Aman, MP for Dhaka-2, said he was looking into the matter.
“If the affected family contacts me, I will try to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” he said.
Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khan said the field administration had been instructed to take necessary action.
“If the land has been illegally occupied, action will be taken against those responsible,” she said.
