'Evict encroachers from Meghna river immediately'

25 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Environmentalists yesterday called on the authorities to evict all encroachers of Meghna river at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, immediately as per the directive of the prime minister. Speaking at a rally, they also demanded removal of earth from the filled-up portion of the river and punishment to the river grabbers. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) organised the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club. The encroachers occupied 8.39 acres of river bed at Char Chaartala in Ashuganj for setting up industries. Local administration has asked the encroachers to remove earth from the filled-up river bed. On May 12, Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina also gave a directive to evict the encroachers. But instead of removing earth, the encroachers are dilly-dallying and trying to grab the river bed permanently, the speakers said. Residents of Dhaka, Munshiganj, Narayanganj and adjacent areas will face countless problems, including biohazards and health hazards, if the encroachers are not evicted, they said. Dr Abdul Matin, general secretary, Bapa, Badiul Alam Majumdar, country director, Hunger Project, and Tushar Rehman, secretary general of Citizen Rights Movement, among others, spoke at the rally.