Halt construction of structures: HC

The High Court yesterday issued a status quo on construction of structures and land grabbing of the Moyur river in Khulna and the Mahananda river in Chapainawabganj.

The court directed deputy commissioners of the two districts to submit two reports on land grabbing and construction of structures beside the rivers within 30 days.

It also issued two separate rules upon the authorities concerned of the government to explain in four weeks as to why their inaction to stop land grabbing and construction of structures in the river areas should not be declared illegal.

In the rules, the court also asked the authorities to show causes as to why they should not be directed to stop the construction works and land grabbing.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das came up with the orders and rules following two separate writ petitions filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

During hearing of the petitions, petitioner's counsel Manzill Murshid told the HC that Khulna City Corporation has reportedly been constructing a park after grabbing the land of the Moyur in Gollamari area and some local influential persons have been constructing a housing project after grabbing the land of the Mahananda.