The district administration will conduct drives from early February to evict illegal establishments on the banks of Karnaphuli River. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's office yetserday, said DC Md Elias Hossain. He said the administration had failed to carry out a High Court order for conducting the drive because of a lack of fund. They are now going ahead after getting assurance from the land ministry. The drive will start from February 4.

Karnaphuli is one of the most important rivers of Bangladesh. The country's busiest port is also located on the bank of the river. On 18 July 2010, the court, after hearing a writ petition by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, ordered to stop the river's encroachment, land filling, and construction of all types of establishments on the river.

It also ordered the local administration to identify the river's actual boundary and file a report.