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The detailed drawing up work of land in Gazipur Sadar is going on in full swing giving rise to confusion among the people.
   Many are thinking, right or wrong, that this survey is part of a government plan to acquire land in the area.
   The survey is being conducted by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) under its Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan (DMDP).
   It is learnt that thousands of people at Joydebpur and adjoining areas are passing their days in anxiety of land acquisition.
   Many people became curious as the authorities are conducting their survey without any publicity in the area.
   According to sources, in 1995 RAJUK made a 20-year (1995-2015) development plan covering 1,528 square kilometre area in Dhaka and Gazipur.
   RAJUK employed Sheltek-Datex Association, a consultant firm, to conduct the survey at Savar area under Dhaka and Joydebpur under Gazipur district.
   The farm is observing the physical and socio-economic condition of the area and collecting detailed information about these.
   For the survey, a total of 300 benchmark pillars have been installed in the whole area.
   Some workers of the appointed firm are moving from house to house and questioning people about their socio-economic conditions and problems of the area.
   The firm sought full co-operation of the inhabitants including the leaders of union parishads to make their survey a success.
   The detailed area plan work, for two year duration, started in August of 2004.
   The three unions of Gazipur where land will be surveyed are Bashan, Kashimpur and Kaweltia.
   According to sources, 18 moujas under Bashan Union, 16 moujas under Kashimpur Union, and 19 moujas including Naga, Baghalbari, Deshipara, Dakkhin Salna, Tak Kathora and Majlishpur village under Kaweltia Union under Sadar Upazila have come under survey.
   Local sources said, the buying and selling of land in some parts of this area have halted amid acquisition rumour.
   People are visiting the local land office as well as the chairmen and members to inquire about the survey.

A large number of youths have become addicted to drugs in Madaripur and Lalmonirhat mainly because of their easy availability and lax family control on their day to day activities.
   A report from Madaripur said many youths of the district have become drug addicts. Phensidyl, rectified spirit and hemp are their favourite drugs.
   An NGO report revealed that there are nearly 50,000 drug addicts in Madaripur. They include students of schools and colleges, transport workers and young employees of different organisations.
   The report further said the majority of the drug addicts belong to 15 to 20 years age group.
   The drug addicted youths are gradually becoming involved in burglary, snatching and many other anti-social activities to foot the drug bills.
   The drug peddlers are mostly active at Lakxmiganj, Khagdi, Mostafapur, Jhikarhati, Purankulpaddi, Ghatakchar, Nutun Court, Tekerhat and Charjanajat Ferry ghat.
   Exhibition of x-rated films at different places, floating sex workers and gambling are also leading the youths astray.
   Raiding several spots under four upazilas of this district the police seized about 2,500 bottles of phensidyl during the last six months.
   The police drive also resulted in the recovery of heroin, hemp and other narcotics from different places in the district.
   The residents of Madaripur town blamed some members of the law enforcing agencies for providing shield to the drug peddlers in exchange for money.
   They also accused a section of guardians of remaining indifferent to the daily activities of their wards.
   Taking advantage of the lax control of some guardians the youths dare involve in many anti-social activities, according to them.
   The New Age correspondent of Lalmonirhat in a report said the markets under the sadar upazila are now flooded with phensidyl smuggled from India. They are being sold openly under the nose of the law enforcing agencies.
   The phensidyl peddlers are often seen selling it at Kalibari, Nayarhat, BDR hat, Kazipara, Shahjahan Colony, College Bazar, Saptana, Thanapara and Bania Patti.One bottle of phensidyl sells at Tk 110 to 150.
   The law enforcing agencies often turn a blind eye to the sale of drugs illegally as they are paid regularly by the traders dealing in narcotics, it was alleged.
   The local people have urged the government to take effective measures to stop the smuggling of drugs from across the border.