Remove illegal structures on Karnaphuli banks within 2 months: HC

The High Court yesterday directed the authorities concerned of the government to remove all illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river at Lal Dariarchar area in Chattogram in the next two months.

The officials concerned have been directed to disconnect the water, gas and electricity lines of the illegal structures if those are not evicted by this time.

During hearing a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, the HC said the officials concerned will be directed to appear in person before this court if they don't comply with the order.

The bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali also fixed March 9 next year for further hearing and passing order on the issue.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police's commissioner, its deputy commissioner, Chattogram City Corporation's administrator, commander of Rapid Action Battalion,  CDA chairman have been made respondents to the HC directives, petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.

During yesterday's hearing, Murshid told the court that the HC in 2016 had delivered a verdict directing the authorities to evict the illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river in Chattogram port.

The authorities have evicted a part of the illegal structures and most of them were not removed, he said.

Chattogram Port Authority's lawyer Murad Reza told the court the structures were not removed due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the eviction will need more time.

Lawyer Manzill Murshid told this correspondent yesterday that the HC on April 9 last year ordered the CPA chairman to immediately take necessary steps to remove illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river and submit a report before it after complying with the directive within 30 days.

The CPA chairman on July 4 last year submitted a report before the HC through his lawyer, saying that his office could not abide by its directive for different reasons, including pressure from some quarters.

The court that day again directed the CPA chairman to remove all illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river in the port area and submit a report after complying with the order within three weeks.

On August 29 last year, the CDA chairman submitted another report to the HC saying that it has evicted illegal structures from 20 acres out of total 50 acres along the Karnaphuli river and sought more time from the court to this effect.

The HC on the same day ordered the CDA chairman to remove illegal structures from the rest 30-acre area along the Karnaphuli in three months and to submit a compliance report to this court by November 14 last year.

The CDA chairman on November 18 last year submitted a report to the HC seeking another six months to comply with the directive, Manzill Murshid said.