DHAKA: It is impossible for the one-man Judicial Commission to play a lone hand in reclaiming the occupied government lands, admitted its sole member Justice Habibur Rahman Khan. 

“It is impossible for me alone to perform my duty assigned for bringing back the public lands from occupants,” he told banglanews24.com.bd.

The commission was formed on March 10 this year to submit recommendations to the government after identifying the actual owners, and occupied lands as well as abandoned property—a task that will take the commission decades back over the country’s history to get at the root.

Considering the working periphery of the commission, the former chairman of the emergency-time Truth Commission and retired judge of the High Court, Habibur Rahman Khan, said the commission needs more manpower.

He suggested that the government reform a powerful team to make the commission more effective and functional.

Citing example of neighbouring India, he also said that the country has eight such commissions to address crises.

Justice Habibur Rahman recommends that a five-member probe commission in every divisional city along with a permanent cell should be formed in Bangladesh.

“The central commission will monitor the activities of divisional commission and give judgments,” he said.

The commission will primarily investigate into the verdicts on ownership of lands given by the court of settlement since 1971. “It would also examine whether there is any fault in the verdict,” he said.

BDST: 1930 HRS, AUG 20, 2010