60 structures removed

Local administration in a drive removed at least 60 illegal structures from the Kuakata beach yesterday.

Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) ABM Sadiqur Rahman led the drive as per instruction from the deputy commissioner of Patuakhali.

Roadside makeshift hotels, tea stalls, groceries and other stores were removed during the drive attended by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Bipul Chandra Das and police personnel, said the UNO.

"We will not allow anyone to build structures on the beach, ignoring the directive of the High Court," the assistant commissioner said, adding that the eviction drive will continue.

A number of illegal structures have recently been built along the Kuakata beach ignoring a HC directive issued five years ago.

A group of youths have built the structures and leased those out to various businesses for Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000 for each store, said locals.

On June 2 in 2011, the HC in its directive asked the authorities concerned to immediately remove all structures from the Kuakata sea beach.