A large-scale eviction drive has begun to remove illegal structures along the banks of the Bankkhali River in Cox’s Bazar, led by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
The operation started around 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the river’s Kosturaghat area, with the army, police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) deployed to maintain security.
Md. Khairuzzaman, Assistant Director of BIWTA’s Cox’s Bazar River Port (Kosturaghat) branch, said the eviction drive is being carried out in compliance with a High Court order.
“The operation will initially continue for five days, until September 5, and may be extended if necessary until all illegal structures are cleared,” he added.
The Bankkhali River, the main river flowing through Cox’s Bazar, has long been under encroachment pressure.
On August 24, the High Court directed the government to identify all illegal occupants, evict them within four months, and take necessary steps to curb river pollution.
Just a week after the ruling, the government’s shipping affairs adviser visited Cox’s Bazar and attended an emergency meeting on the eviction of illegal structures from the river.
In its order, the High Court emphasized that the current flow of the Bankkhali River must be preserved based on the RS survey, with clear demarcation of boundaries.
It further instructed authorities to prepare a list of encroachers, evict them, and implement pollution control measures within the stipulated time.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
