Deed writers of Bochaganj upazila of the district staged a demonstration yesterday, demanding removal of the upazila subregistrar Md Golam Mortuza for his alleged corruption and harassment in registering land.

They also besieged the sub-registrar's office to realise their demand.

Recording of land sales in the upazila has been halted for a month as the deed writers have been on an indefinite strike since February 2, demanding removal of the sub-registrar.

Mizanur Rahman, president of Dinajpur Deed Writers' Samity and vice president of Bochaganj upazila AL, said Md Golam Mortuza joined Bochaganj sub-registrar's office on August 3 last year.

"After joining, he has not processed any land selling papers without taking bribe. If anybody declined to pay bribe he was subjected to harassment," Mizanur said. The subregistrar also threatened to cancel the licence of the deed writers for protesting his misbehaviour and corruption, Mizanur added.

During a visit to Bochaganj upazila, this correspondent saw posters pasted in different places in the upazila demanding removal of the upazila sub-registrar.

The sufferers, including those who want to sell or purchase land, also joined in the agitation yesterday as sub-registrar Md Golam Mortuza directly demanded bribe from them.

"He demanded Tk 10,000 as bribe from me, ” said Abdul Hye of Murshidhat village.