Kirtankhola banks
Encroachers start removing structures in Barisal
Staff Reporter, Barisal
After facing heat from the district administration, encroachers on both sides of the Kirtankhola river have started removing illegal structures.
On a visit to the citys Rasulpur area yesterday, this correspondent found the illegal occupants removing their own huts on both sides of the river. Barisal district commissioner and other senior officials visited the spot in the morning.
On Saturday, the encroachers forced the district administration to stop and suspend its eviction drive. After that, the administration held a meeting with the local councillor and the occupants to explain its stand. Later, the occupants agreed to remove their illegal structures from both sides of the river on their own.
Nazmul Hosen Khan, assistant commissioner (land) of Barisal, told The Independent that 80 illegal structures in Rasulpur area of the city had already been removed. He said the district administration would set up demarcation pillars in the area to stop further occupation.
Earlier, the Barisal district administration had filed a survey report to the High Court, saying that a total of 211 illegal establishments were found on both sides of the Kirtonkhola river.
Md Mustafizur Rahman, port officer of the Barisal BIWTA, said the authorities identified over 517 illegal establishments on their 2.77 acres of land, but failed to remove them due to the absence of any landmark. Taking the opportunity, a group of grabbers, led by influential people, grabbed the BIWTA land worth over Tk. 200 crore, he added.
