Human chain demands demolition in one month
A human chain formed by Jolashoy-Joladhar Rakkha Committee yesterday issued an ultimatum of one month to knock down illegal structures set up on the banks of Karnaphuli River.
Dozens of social and cultural organisations participated in the programme organised in Bridge Ghata area of Firingi Bazar, adjacent to Karnaphuli area.
Rehena Begum Ranu, convener of Jolashoy-Joladhar Rakkha Committee of Chattogram, said the Karnaphuli is making a significant contribution to country’s total GDP while the authorities concerned are failing to save this highly important river.
She criticised the decision of Chattogram District Administration and Chattogram Port Authority for halting their drive to rid Karnaphuli of grabbers in February last year.
“Pollution keeps increasing, grabbing goes on unabated, and port authority is even leasing out river portions on a commercial basis, which narrowed down the width of the river,” she said, adding Chattogram Port Authority must restart the demolition drive within one month.
She said they would call for tougher movement if the authorities concerned do not restart the eviction drive.
Azad Talukdar, editor of online daily Ekushey Patrika, moderated the human chain.
Aliur Rahman, convener of Karnaphuli Rakkha Andolon, said Chattogram Port “illegally leased out” a large part of the Karnaphuli.
“Authorities who were supposed to save the river, are only hurting it now,” he said.
Hasan Murad Biplob, a councillor; Mohammad Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station in the city; and Noman Ullah Bahar, president of SDG Youth Forum, were present, among others, at the programme.
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