Take action against river encroachers

Leaders of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) yesterday demanded that the government take legal action against river encroachers to bring the culprits to justice.
They also urged the government to evict all illegal infrastructures built on the banks of rivers.
They were addressing a press conference organised by Bapa at Dhaka Reporters Unity on findings of a report on Savar's Bangshi river.
The leaders threatened of holding social agitation programmes across the country against river encroachers if the government fails to free the rivers under threat.
Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the government must clarify whether they want to take stern action against the encroachers or not.
“The encroachers of the rivers must be brought under trial as they are committing crimes against the environment, state and humanity,” he added.
Bapa Secretary General Abdul Matin said the government must complete the demarcation of the Bangshi river to save it from the clutches of encroachers.
Influential industrialists, political party leaders and sand traders have already grabbed the Bangshi, which has become very narrow, he added.
He urged the government to save the rivers following the guidelines of the High Court.
Ataur Rahman, president of Savar River and Environment Protection Parishad, said it was impossible to term Bangladesh as a country of rivers as the rivers were dying in the hands of encroachers.