Kuakata-Mohipur tug of war

Two groups of locals, firm on their respective demands for setting up of police station at the tourist in Kuakata sea beach and Mohipur fish landing station in Kalapara upazila under the district, have started movement, creating a mild tension in the area.
The opponents have formed separate committees -- one headed by Abdul Bareq Mollah, chairman of Latachaplee union parishad, to press for the demand for setting up a PS at Kuakata and the other headed by Abdus Salam, a businessman of Mohipur, demanding establishment of a PS there.
On Saturday, the committee headed by Abdus Salam blocked Kuakata-Patuakhali road at Mohipur Bazar, stopping vehicular movement there from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Md Kalim Ullah, member secretary of the body, read out a written statement claiming that the PS should be set up at Mohipur considering the importance of the 80-year-old fish landing station.
Hilsa fishes over Tk 500 crore are annually sold at the station where over 200 fish wholesalers are located, he said at the programme attended by a couple of thousand people.
The other committee headed by Abdul Bareq Molla formed a human chain in Kuakata sea beach at about 10:00am on Friday, demanding setting up of a police station in Kuakata municipality.
Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners' Association, local traders, Kuakata Shilpi Gosthi and people from all walks of life of Kuakata municipality, Latachapli and Dhulasar unions joined the hour-long human chain.
A full fledged police station is needed at Kuakata to ensure security of the tourists, speakers said at the programme.
Earlier on August 14, Kuakata Thana Implementation Committee formed a human chain at zero point in Kuakata, arranged a press conference at Patuakhali Press Club and submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through the deputy commissioner of Patuakhali over the same issue.