Set pillars rightly to demarcate rivers

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) yesterday demanded that the government take immediate steps to set up boundary pillars accordingly to save the country's rivers from grabbers.

Addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dr Mohammad Abdul Matin, general secretary of the organisation, said some of the pillars marking the boundary of Turag and Buriganga were set up right beside the water violating a High Court verdict. He added that other pillars were set up on the bank or foreshore of the rivers.

Bapa demanded that the government implement the HC order properly and reset the pillars of rivers Turag and Buriganga.

The organisation also requested identification of those government officials who are responsible for setting up the pillars in the wrong places.

Matin said the district administrators are not following the HC verdict or instructions of the prime minister or the task force.

He said the pillars would have to be set up in places allowing 50 metres of foreshore, as per the HC verdict.

Matin added that setting up pillars too close to the rivers allow opportunistic grabbers to "legally" occupy land belonging to the rivers.

The general secretary said the government will set up boundary pillars marking territory of 230 rivers across the country but if they are set up in the wrong places then river grabbing will be done through the district administrators.

Rasheda K Chowdhury, former adviser to a caretaker government and also the vice president of Bapa, said general people want rivers free from grabbing but a section of people are looking to grab river land.          

Bapa also demanded removal of illegal structure from territory of rivers across the country immediately.