Jamuna Group concealed an earlier injunction while getting a court order on August 24 for earth-filling at its Ashulia project, which was a contempt of court, he alleged.

Besides, while filing writ, it kept the officials concerned in the dark about the injunction and this was a violation of the constitution, the minister said at a press conference yesterday.

Referring to Jamuna Group Chairman Nurul Islam Babul's open letter to the prime minister in newspapers yesterday on the earth-filling and housing business, the minister said, "All its contents are false."

The minister clarified his position on the latest controversy about Jamuna Group's Ashulia earth-filling. "I don't have any personal clash with the owner of Jamuna Group. What I am doing is prevent their activities for the sake of ecology. The Turag river, which is in a major flood water flow zone, will be threatened and the river channel will be closed if they continue earth-filling in Ashulia," he said.

Quoting flood experts, Abbas said if they (Jamuna Group) fills Ashulia area, floodwater from Tongi, Gazipur, Kaliakoir and part of Tangail will not flow down easily and the capital will also face water-logging during the monsoon.

"Downpour in the capital during the monsoon is increasing water logging day by day as several developers are grabbing and filling low-lying areas," he said. Ashulia area is also a recreation spot for the dwellers and this is another reason earth filling of the area should be stopped, he added.

About Rajuk, the minister said, "I am not satisfied with the performance of Rajuk. I had also suffered a lot when I wanted to build my house." He however said Rajuk has been restructured and the situation is better now.

In his open letter, Babul alleged the housing minister is personally angry with him and this led him to take action against Jamuna Group. Some other developers are also filling up low-lying areas but the minister is only after his group, Babul claimed.

Brushing aside the allegation, the minister said Rajuk has filed as many as 10 cases against developers including Bashundhara, Modhumati, Jamuna, Banorupa, Amin Mohammad Foundation and Rahat Real Estate. "All the cases are in process," he mentioned.

The minister said Jamuna Group is using the daily Jugantar to support its illegal activities and urged people not to be misled by such propaganda in that newspaper.

Secretary of the housing ministry Aminur Rahaman and Chairman of Rajuk Iqbal Uddin Chowdhury were also present at the press conference.