MP Rony's men building illegal structures ignoring HC order

Illegal occupation has continued on the bank of Ramnabad River in Galachipa upazila under Patuakhali district as the local administration has failed to take proper measures two years after the High Court issued an order to remove all illegal set-ups from the riverbank. PHOTO: STAR

Men of Golam Maula Rony, lawmaker from Patuakhali-3 constituency (Galachipa and Dashmina), have continued construction works on about 8.5 acres of land on the bank of Ramnabad River near Galachipa upazila town, defying a High Court (HC) order issued two years ago.
Rony's men are also illegally constructing another market on the bank of Ronogopaldi River, affecting the normal flow of the important river, local sources said.
A brick wall was built marking about 8.5 acres of land on the bank of Ramnabad River, near Galachipa upazila town in 2009 as Roni planned to build a market there.
Different national and local dailies including The Daily star ran reports on the matter.
Over the issue Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association filed a writ petition with the HC.
After primary hearing, the HC on May 4 in 2010 issued an order to stop building the marker.
Later on June 9 in 2011, an HC bench issued an order to remove all the structures and construction materials from the spot within 60 days.
But the local administration is yet to take any step over the matter.
Now Rony's men are using the land for business of bricks, sand and other construction materials and also taking toll from businessmen there.
Meanwhile, a group of local influential people led by a relative of Rony has made around 100 plots on the occupied bank of Ronogopaldi River at Ulania Bazar in Galachipa upazila and already sold around 25 plots among local businessmen for Tk 80,000 to one lakh each, sources said.
He also grabbed a piece of khas land beside Gajalia canal near Dakua bridge bazar in the same upazila, made 60 plots there and is selling each plot for Tk 40,000 to 50,000. Structures have already been built on most of the plots.
The grabber could not be contacted repeated attempts by this correspondent as his over mobile remained off.
Md Harun-or-Rashid, chairman of Galachipa upazila parishad, also president of the upazila unit of ruling Awami League, said, "The High Court order has not been implemented due to the negligence of local administration."
Md Mahbubul Alam, UNO of Galachipa upazila, said, "After joining here last year, I heard about the order issued by the High Court to remove all the structures from the bank of Ramnabad River but I could not find any copy of the order in office files. So I could not take any step regarding the matter."
Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Amitav Sarker, who also joined the office last year, said, "I heard the High Court order but copy of the order could not be found. I cannot say details about the matter without examining the relevant papers. I will be able to take step if the copy of the order is found."