‘Protect us from eviction’

Worried over an ongoing riverbed survey to mark the Kirtankhola, residents of Barishal city’s six wards submitted a memorandum to the mayor yesterday, demanding their protection from eviction.

Thousands of people from wards 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 gathered on Sadar Road during the submission.

Chan Mia from the city’s Palashpur area under ward-5 said he fears eviction as his houses have been included in riverbed area under the survey.

Many of the residents like him said a large number of establishments -- including dwellings, educational and religious institutions -- are in the area.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) started the survey around 25 days ago. BIWTA Deputy Director Ajmol Huda Mithu said they are doing so as per High Court directive to recover the Kirtankhola according to cadastral survey (CS) map.

“We have completed 80 percent of the survey and hope it would be finalised within 10 or 12 days,” he said.

The residents said around one lakh people will be affected if BIWTA conducts eviction drives after the survey.

Md Salam, another resident from Palashpur, said, “I purchased a piece of land in the area and have been living there for 20 years. Suddenly, a BIWTA survey team has marked my houses as a part of the riverbed.”

Deputy Director Ajmol Huda admitted the issue, saying over 1,000 establishments were included in the survey till now. “After completing the survey, we will take next steps after consulting with district administration and other authorities,” he added.

contacted, BCC Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah said, “We received the memorandum and I assured them [the concerned residents] that they will not be evicted without rehabilitation.”