Save Mogra river from grabbers

Unauthorised structures built by land grabbers on the bank of the Mogra in Netrakona town has squeezed the river. PHOTO: STAR

Land grabbers already grabbed a major portion of the river and built unauthorised structures at different points on both sides of the river.

The town is surrounded by the river from three sides. Once the length of the river was four kilometre and its breadth 500 feet. At present, its breadth has become 200 feet due to illegal land grabbing. Its flowing capacity also decreased to a great extent. The river divides the town into two parts. Once the riverbed could carry enough water. But due to accumulation of silt, its normal depth has decreased. Now innumerable shoals have emerged in the riverbed.

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According to Netrakona Pourasabha authorities, 1,000 illegal pucca establishments were constructed on both sides of the river in last 10 years. Most of the establishments are situated in Nagra, Katli, ChutaBazar, Mukterpara and Satpai areas of the town. During the period, the district administration played the role of a silent spectator.

Now the administration woke up from slumber and took steps to evict a few small illegal structures, but its owners are allegedly reconstructing those defying official rule.

When contacted with Netrakona Pourasabha Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, he told this correspondent he is well-aware about it, but he is helpless because the district administration controls the rivers. 'We are ready to assist the district administration if they want it,' he said.

In reply to a question, he said that unauthorised structures should be evicted to regain the beauty of the pourasabha.

An owner of an illegal structure informed that the district administration knew about selling of illegal plots by deeds but the administration overlooked the matter, he added.

A conscious citizen of the town told that the district administration has the power to evict the illegal structures if it desires. But the district administration ignores it because these are owned by influential persons of the town.

Despite several attempts, this correspondent failed to establish contact with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Netrakona for his comments.