Grabbers reoccupying Bakkhali riverbank in Cox’s Bazar

An attempt to reoccupy previously evicted land along the Bakkhali riverbank in Cox’s Bazar town began on the night before the national parliamentary election. Around 30 makeshift houses have already been constructed using bamboo poles, tin sheets and tarpaulin.

Meanwhile, several of the structures were demolished by the activists of Cox’s Bazar town unit Chhatra Dal (JCD). However, a number of houses are still under construction, as seen during a visit to the site.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said it has sent letters urging the district administration, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant authorities to take urgent action.

BIWTA Cox’s Bazar Port Officer Md Abdul Wakil said former occupiers took advantage of law enforcement agencies being busy with election duties and started rebuilding structures on the previously evicted land. More than 30 houses have already been erected and several others are under construction, he said, adding that letters have been sent to higher authorities and relevant agencies, seeking immediate action.

According to a letter sent on Saturday, BIWTA conducted an eviction drive from September 1 to 5 last year in Kasturaghat area along the riverbank. About 63 acres of land were recovered and approximately 496 temporary and permanent structures were demolished.

Later, when BIWTA officials attempted to install boundary pillars, they were allegedly attacked by people linked to the occupiers. The operation was subsequently suspended. BIWTA filed three cases, while police filed one case, naming 40 individuals and several unnamed in connection with the incident.

Since the night before the election, illegal construction has resumed from the Kasturaghat river port boundary area up to the Kurushkul new bridge. BIWTA has informed its higher authorities, the district administration, police administration, and around 15 relevant agencies, requesting necessary action.

Meanwhile, after reports spread that the occupation drive was being carried out using BNP banners and festoons, activists of the town unit Chhatra Dal demolished several illegal shop structures.

Shafayet Munna, former joint secretary of Cox’s Bazar town Chhatra Dal, said following instructions from Cox’s Bazar-3 MP-elect Lutfur Rahman Kajol, they went to the spot and removed the illegal structures. He said former occupiers were trying to misuse BNP’s name to carry out the occupation.

During a visit to the Bakkhali riverbank today, several newly-built bamboo-and-tin houses were found scattered on the western side of the new Khurushkul bridge. The broken remains of several shop structures were lying beside the road leading to the bridge, which Chhatra Dal activists had demolished on Saturday night. A few other structures were also found under construction.

Locals said the occupiers have gone into hiding following the Chhatra Dal action.