CM Mamata in talks with Mayor Firhad over Gulshan colony land dispute after Kasba incident

The ongoing land dispute in Gulshan Colony has escalated following the Kasba incident, leading to increased governmental attention and action. On Tuesday night, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with Kolkata's mayor and state minister Firhad Hakim at Nabanna to discuss the situation. The discussions centered on the growing land disputes in Gulshan Colony, particularly regarding illegal landfills and unauthorized constructions. These issues have plagued the area for years, with numerous reports indicating violations of land use regulations.

In response to the escalating land issues, the Department of Land and Land Reforms began a comprehensive land survey in Gulshan Colony on Tuesday. The survey aims to assess the current land occupation, verify property ownership, and investigate illegal fillings of water bodies, as well as unauthorized constructions. The results of the survey will be submitted to the Chief Minister for further analysis and action. This step marks a significant effort by the state government to address the ongoing land irregularities in the area.

The dispute has been particularly contentious due to the involvement of various local political figures and land dealers. Councilor Sushanta Ghosh raised concerns over the land in Kasba, which he described as "Madhur" (empty land). This term has become synonymous with the land in question, which has now been connected to the larger land issues in the colony. The dispute highlights the complex nature of land ownership and the pressures of illegal land reclamation in the region.

The investigation into the land disputes intensified following the arrest of Afruz, also known as Gulzar Khan. His arrest has brought attention to the role of Mohammad Zulkarnein Ali, a former land dealer in Gulshan Colony, who is alleged to have attempted to claim part of a 120-bigha water body in the colony three years ago. Zulkar allegedly filled the water body with waste material and attempted to construct on the land, which sparked further concerns about illegal land practices in the area. The investigation into Zulkar’s activities is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the extent of land violations in Gulshan Colony.