HC seeks Shibbaria river grabbers' list

The High Court yesterday sought from the Patuakhali district deputy commissioner and Kalapara upazila nirbahi officer by November 5 a list of persons who had encroached on the Shibbaria river.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal also issued a rule upon the government to explain why it should not be directed to demarcate the river area and evict the encroachers.

The order and rule came following hearing of a writ petition Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) submitted on Wednesday praying to save the river.

It said around 650 structures have reportedly been built at the upazila's Mohipur, Alipur and Laxmibazar points over the last two years while more are under construction on the 20-kilometre river, which falls into the Bay of Bengal in Kuakata.

No action has been taken to prevent the grabbing, it added. Bela also attached a The Daily Star report of February 5 headlined “Legal action against grabbers of Shibbaria River soon”.