No eviction without rehabilitation: HC tells govt
The High Court has ordered the authorities concerned of the government not to evict any of the 830 homeless people, living in shelters outside the Cox's Bazar Airport for 12 years, without rehabilitating them.
The bench of Justice Shahidul Karim came up with the order on Thursday after virtually hearing a writ petition filed by Kutubdia Bhumihin Samabay Samity Ltd's President Mozaffar Ahamed Sikdar on August 5 challenging the government decision to this effect.
The HC order will remain in force for two weeks after the court's regular functions resume following the ongoing holiday, Barrister KMA Al Fahad-Bin-Sagir, a lawyer for the petitioner, told The Daily Star today.
He said Cox's Bazar administration on August 5 asked the 830 people to leave although the HC had twice issued orders to not evict them without complete rehabilitation.
The HC on March 29, 2016 asked the authorities concerned to maintain status-quo on the possession of the land and on March 11, 2008, it directed the authorities to ensure rehabilitation of those living there within 30 days, he said, adding that the authorities concerned are yet to do so.
The lawyer said the 830, who lost their lands, homesteads and other immovable properties to the tidal surges and devastating cyclones, were rehabilitated in lands owned by the Civil Aviation Authority in Cox's Bazar's South Kutubdiapara.
They were then evicted from there and relocated beside the boundary of the airport in 2007, Barrister Sagir said.
Community leaders recently came to know that the local administration had listed 4,409 families to be rehabilitated under the Asrayan Phase 2 Project.
Only 122 out of the 830 were in the list, while 53 people were disqualified. There was no mention of the remaining 655, Sagir said citing the writ petition.
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