250 families evicted from port city hills

Chattogram District Administration yesterday evicted 100 families who are living at the foot of the hills with great risk of landslide in port city's Lalkhan Bazar area.

With the latest eviction, a total of 250 families have been evicted since Saturday night from Akbarshah and Lalkhan Bazar areas.

According to DC office, the families have been taken to temporary shelters.

Senior Executive Magistrate and NDC of Ctg district administration Md Towhidul Islam said, "We conducted the eviction drive in Moti Jharna and Batali Hill areas and evacuated 100 families. Despite the threat of cyclone, they did not shift to save themselves so we launched the drive."

"We have also identified 50 to 60 illegal establishments which are very vulnerable to landslide. We asked the local councillor to take steps," he added.

Fire service and police assisted the drive.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Bakalia Circle Jamiul Hiqma said, "A school has been set up by cutting down the hill in Mati Jharna. We have learned that a case filed by the Department of Environment is now under trial."

Around 170 people died in massive landslides in June 2017 in Chattogram, Rangamati and Bandarban districts, disconnecting regional communication for days.

In the aftermath of the 2007 massive landslide in Chattogram, that claimed 127 lives, a high-powered committee formed by the government made 36 recommendations including rehabilitating the families permanently to safer places.

The authorities, including district administration and City Corporation, could not comply with the recommendations even 12 years after the tragedy.