Eviction attempt stopped by locals
A drive for demolishing “illegal” structures on the Rasulpur char (landmass emerging from riverbed) situated on the west side of the Kirtonkhola river in Barisal was postponed after the locals outnumbered and blocked the authorities.
“The land where the structures were erected belongs to us since it is within the 40 feet of the river foreshore,” said Md Mostafizur Rahaman, deputy director of BIWTA and Barisal port officer. “The HC gave the eviction order around two months ago to save the river, since the structures were built too close to the river bank,” he added.
“But locals surrounded us and we had to stop since there were women and children also,” said Nazmul Ahasan Khan, assistant commissioner (land) of Barisal Sadar upazila and executive magistrate who led the drive.
“Around 211 illegal structures were supposed to be demolished,” he said. “A meeting will be held with the local councillor to solve the problem. The drive has been postponed for now.”
Abdulla Al Kabir Dhali, a local leader of Rasulpur char, claimed that following the court order they were trying to shift the makeshift structures 40 feet further than the river bank. But the authorities concerned negotiated with the influential of the area and tried to demolish the houses of the poor first, which were not within the 40 feet range, he alleged.
He also alleged the law enforcement charged batons on them and some women and children were injured.
Asked, the executive magistrate denied the allegations.
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