Author: Shanjida Jahan Iftee

Land acquisition in Bangladesh is often justified in the name of national development — new power plants, highways, and urban projects meant to fuel economic growth. But behind these ambitious initiatives lie harsh realities: the displacement of families without fair compensation, local officials’ bending the rules, and a weak regulatory system in which corruption becomes almost predictable. The billion-BDT scandals exposed in recent years are not only financial losses; they erode public trust. Ordinary citizens bear the heaviest burden. People surrender land believing the state will act fairly, only to face long delays, exploitation, and hardship. Though legal protections exist,…