Illegal structures on Patuakhali canal
Illegal structures are being built on Bharani khal in Dhankhali union under Kalapara upazila of the district, causing hindrance to the normal flow of water in the canal.
There are 10 villages, including paved roads, on both sides of the nine-km-long canal from Devpur dam to Londa area. About five thousand farmers of the villages cultivate several thousand acres of agricultural land through this single canal.
At least 70 structures have already been erected by occupying the canal, said locals.
A list of 70 occupants has already been submitted to the upazila land office to evict the structures. These occupiers are so influential that the people in the land office have become helpless to them.
The canal, which is connected to the Ramnabad river, has a normal tidal flow and the local farmers use its water to produce various crops on their land throughout the year. The water of the canal is also used for household purposes.
According to the locals, farmers of at least 10 villages including Chalitabunia, Dhankhali, Devpur, Panchjunia, Uttar Devpur, Nishanbaria, Daser Howla, Fultali and Londa use this canal's water. But in addition to building the structures at a few spots of this important canal, people have set up nets in the canal in the name of fishing that is also obstructing the free flow of water.
During a visit, this correspondent found a local influential person named Abdus Sattar Khan setting up a structure in front of the local NGO Codec office.
Wishing anonymity, a local resident said they dared not protest the act of Sattar as he is very influential person in the area.
The authority of the local land office is not taking any effective action even after being informed of the matter, he alleged.
Abdul Hadi Hawladar, a farmer from Panchjunia village, said if the normal flow of water in the canal was severely disrupted due to construction of various structures, the growers would face severe waterlogging in the rainy season.
Contacted, Abdus Sattar Khan, who is building structures on the canal, declined to make any comments over the matter.
Dhankhali Union Land Assistant Officer Hamidul Haque Bachchu Biswas said a list of occupiers of at least 70 structures from Sombaria Bazar to Fultali has already been sent to the upazila office.
Kalapara Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Jagatbandhu Mondal said immediate action will be taken after investigating the matter.
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