The water body--Khordo Baor-- was earlier leased by Khurdo Matsyajibi Samabaya Samitty (fishermen's cooperative society) in April 2001 for two years.

Soon after the four-party alliance came to power, Habib's cadres and his brother forcibly occupied the water body on December 12, 2001 by driving out genuine fishermen, the complaint said.

Dulal Chandra Biswas, president of the 250 member fishermen's cooperative body submitted the complaints.

The occupiers looted fishes worth about Tk one crore in last five years and the vast water body is still under their possession, the complaint said.

Habibul Islam Habib was elected from Satkhira-1 (Tala-Kalaroa) constituency in 2001.

When contacted yesterday, ACC sources said that they sent the complaint to the Dhaka office and were awaiting an order to start investigation.

Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Kefayetullah when contacted said the administration will take due steps after investigation.

Biswas told this correspondent that they did not complain earlier as Habib and his cadres threatened them with dire consequences and false cases.

He alleged that Habib formed a co-operative society with non-fishermen members with the help of the then upazila administration just to keep the water body under their possession.

They said, they submitted an allegation to the land ministry and Satkhira Deputy commissioner on April 5 for action against the grabbers.

As there was no action, they submitted fresh complaints to ACC, Deputy Commissioner and law enforcement agencies on Monday

demanding transfer of the water body to genuine fishermen and punishment of the illegal occupiers.

On contact over cell phone, Habib denied the allegation and said he does not know anything about the matter.

But he remained mum when asked about his younger brother's involvement in it.

Habib is now on the run to evade arrest, sources in law enforcement agencies said.