Due to multiple complaints and alleged irregularities, Chandpur district administration has cancelled the proposed land acquisition for Chandpur Science and Technology University.

The land acquisition was originally planned for the Bohoria area, approximately three to four kilometres south of the district headquarters. The original landowners, whose land was forcibly taken, are now demanding its return.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin, confirmed the cancellation on Monday evening, stating that, "The cancellation was already in effect before I joined Chandpur." The initial acquisition involved 62 acres in Bohoria village of Lakshmipur Model Union.

Reports alleged that close associates of former education minister Dipu Moni, along with Selim Khan, a sand-grabber, coerced families into selling their land at less than the market rate. Following extensive complaints and media attention, the government cancelled the acquisition, bringing relief to the affected landowners.

Kalu Khan, one of the displaced landowners, expressed his frustration: “Selim Khan took around 50 decimals of my land forcibly under the pretext of building a university. I was unwilling, but they threatened with weapons and forced me to transfer the land. The value was Tk 37 lakh , but they gave me only Tk 12,000 lakh. I want my land back.”

Residents from Lakshmipur, Md Kajol and Habibur Rahman, also expressed grievances, they had their homesteads here. But under the influence of Dipu Moni, Selim Khan ,they were evicted and forced to leave their homes. But now, the university didn’t happen. And they want their lands back.

They noted that many families were evicted and their homesteads and farmland were filled with sand to prepare for the university, but these lands now lie abandoned.

Currently, the university operates from a rented building near the Chandpur-Cumilla highway in Khalishaduli, with 270 students enrolled across three departments. The students are calling for a permanent campus. Due to corruption by former education minister Dr Dipu Moni and her brother, the government cancelled the land acquisition, said students Md Siam and Nihal.

They demanded an immediate solution for a permanent campus and land allocation.

DC Mohsin also mentioned plans to acquire new land for the university, stating, “New land will be acquired soon. The previously proposed site has been cancelled. There will be no university on that land.” However, he noted that further acquisition depends on directives from the Ministry of Education.

Bangladesh government approved the Chandpur Science and Technology University Act in 2019, and the establishment bill was passed in 2020. Since May 2023, the university has been functioning at a temporary campus.