Demolish illegal structures on Padma river

The High Court yesterday directed the government to demolish all illegal structures from the banks of the river Padma and bamboo fences built for fishing in the river between Madaripur and Munshiganj in 30 days.

The court also asked the authorities concerned to take appropriate legal action against the persons responsible for constructing such structures and to submit a report by December 13 after complying with the order.

The HC bench of Justice Quazi Rezaul-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the order while hearing a writ petition filed by lawyer Kamruzzaman Kochi.

Illegal structures were reportedly built along the river banks and in the river for fishing, in violation of the relevant laws and therefore, the environment and water flow of the river are being damaged, petitioner's counsel ABM Altaf Hossain told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Tapas Kumar Biswas said the local administration of Shibchar Upazila in Madaripur has arrested three people- Shafiqul Islam Majhi, Dween Islam and Habibur Rahman for building bamboo fences in the river.