The Cox’s Bazar district administration has removed around 50 illegal shops and structures built on the beach dunes at Sugandha Point. The eviction drive was conducted on Sunday (October 12) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A large number of army, RAB, and police personnel were deployed to maintain order during the operation, while an excavator was brought in to demolish the illegal establishments.
The move followed an emergency meeting held on Saturday at the deputy commissioner’s office, where law enforcement agencies and stakeholders decided to take immediate action. According to the decision, newly built structures were to be removed by the night of October 11, while older establishments were to be cleared by October 16.
The meeting, chaired by newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan, emphasized that the decision was made following directives from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change to protect the fragile beach ecosystem from encroachment.
Additional Deputy Inspector General (ADIG) of Tourist Police, Cox’s Bazar Region, Apel Mahmud, said, “Following the district administration’s order, at least 50 shops and structures occupying the beach dunes have been evicted. Owners were given until 2 p.m. to remove them voluntarily, but as they failed to comply, we proceeded with the operation.”
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
