Govt encourages river grabbing: Bapa
The government has legalised and encouraged encroachment along the shorelines of the river Buriganga through conducting "controversial and improper" surveys and violating an order of the apex court, an environmental organisation said yesterday.
“Defying the High Court verdict, the encroachers continue grabbing the land of the Buriganga with assistance of a section of government employees. In addition, the authorities entrusted with protecting the river legalised and encouraged the encroachers”, said Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Bapa).
The Dhaka district administration sets up demarcation pillars along the Buriganga over and over again, and thus legalises illegal encroachment and wastes money, he said.
He said due to illegal encroachments in Pagla, Fatullah, Aliganj, Dakkhin and Pangaon, the river had been reduced to a narrow stream.
Sharif Jamil made the observations at a press conference on "Demarcation of the Buriganga: Verdict of the Court and Reality" at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
The Dhaka district administration began setting up pillars for the demarcation of the rivers of Dhaka from April 2011 after the High Court issued an order to save the rivers of Buriganga, Sitalakhya, Turag and Balu in 2009.
Bapa General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin alleged that the encroachers were getting direct patronisation of some government officials.
Eminent columnist Syed Abul Maksud demanded the government implement the High Court's order.
Bapa has placed a five-point demand, including stop to setting up of demarcation pillars, removal of the pillars, and ensuring the trial and punishment of persons responsible for controversially setting up pillars.
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