Eviction drive on in Ctg hills

Chittagong district administration continued its eviction drive in the hilly areas of the port city for the second consecutive day yesterday to avert possible loss of lives from landslides.

A team led by additional Deputy Commissioner Delwar Hossain conducted the drive in association with the Department of Environment, police, Ansar, and other concerned departments around noon in AK Khan Hill area under Akbar Shah Police Station, reports UNB.

Hossain said people living in the hill slopes were evacuated. Also, seven shelters have been opened for them, he added. On Tuesday, around 490 families living in different hill slopes were evacuated.

The areas are Motijhorna Pora Pahar in Lalkhan Bazar, Amin Colony, Tankir Pahar, Miar Pahar, Khulsi Pahar, Akbarshah Pahar and its adjacent areas. Utility connections of the houses on the hill slopes were also disconnected.

The additional deputy commissioner said the team relocated around 100 families to the shelters and dismantled around 45 makeshift structures, reports our Chittagong staff correspondent.

“We opened the shelters for the evicted people so that they can reside there till monsoon is over,” he added.

At least 127 people died in landslides in 2007; 11 in 2008; 15 in 2009 and 2010; 17 in 2011; 23 in 2012; five in 2013; six in 2015; 17 in 2016; and 29 in 2017.

According to the district administration, of the 30 hills identified as vulnerable, 12 were identified after the landslides in 2007.