Ahsanul Amin George, Khulna :
Some influential persons are building structures by grabbing river Moyur at the entry of Khulna even amid eviction drives and agitation programmes by different organisations. The influential people are making structures including market by grabbing lands of the river Moyur at city’s Golyamari area.
A large portion of the lands beside this river have already been grabbed illegally. Earlier, some structures were evicted by the administration, but fresh river encroaching is going on without any hesitation.
On demand of recovery of the canals and rivers of Khulna, different organizations including Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC), voluntary organization Jonoudyog and development and environmentalists observed several agitation programs. But no permanent step was taken yet in this regard by the administration, said agitators.
This Correspondent found in spot visit that at least 30 feet lands beside the river Moyur were occupied by filling bricks and sand. A market was also built here by grabbing river where two-storied building were being built.
Sarwar Ahmed Salehin, additional deputy commissioner (ADC, Revenue) of Khulna said, We have heard the matter and sent some officers from the district administration who had told to stop the works of building structures. He said adding that after scrutinizing the documentary papers, proper steps would be taken by the district administration.
An alleged river grabber said, even if an inch of the river enters into my market, I’ll leave it immediately, I haven’t occupied river, I have built market on my land, I have requested to ADC, Revenue and UNO of Batiaghata to scrutiny papers in the mean time.
Local people said, even before two eras, sailing boats were going on the river Moyur, many fishermen conducted their livelihoods by fishing, used water of river Moyur for taking bath and washing necessaries, but at present there are no suitable environment here due to grabbing and pollution of this river. Earlier, 12 kilometers long Moyur river was connected with the river Rupsha.
With a view to return the navigability of the river Moyur, KC has implemented a project expending Taka 5 crore 78 lakh in 2016. But the canals of the city could not be made free from illegal encroachers still.
Reliable sources said, KC authorities had published a list of 81 illegal canal grabbers on February 10 in 2009.
50 rivers and canals of Khulna district administration are monitored by Khulna City Corporation (KCC).
At least 22 canals are under the illegal occupation of some influential grabbers, environmentalists apprehended.
Advocate Babul Howladar, Khulna Divisional Coordinator of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon said, Moyur river is now about to death, if the necessary step is not taken at this very moment, ferocious result will bring for the Khulna inhabitants.
Sheikh Mohammad Ali, 5 No. Ward Councilor of KCC who is also a Teachers’ Leader and Vice President of Daulatpur Thana Unit Awami League said, we as well as our government under the proper leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in strict position for eviction of river grabbers because she is the efficient daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the Nation.
Md. Mizanur Rahman Milton, a Sramik Leader of Daulatpur of Khulna said, Illegal river grabbers need be evicted as early as possible.
Sharif Shafiqul Hamid Chandon, President of Khulna Unyan Forum (Who was once GS of Daulatpur Govt B.L. College) said, Khulna inhabitants want grabbers free Khulna city and as such we have been observing several agitation programs for the development of Khulna.
Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, Secretary General of GKDACC said, some canals were freed from illegal grabbers, but fresh grabbers are creating in Khulna.
Meanwhile, we have observed demonstration program in front of Khulna City Corporation and also submitted memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Khulna on demand of eviction of the illegal rivers and canals grabbers, Sheikh Ashraf added.
Some influential persons are building structures by grabbing river Moyur at the entry of Khulna even amid eviction drives and agitation programmes by different organisations. The influential people are making structures including market by grabbing lands of the river Moyur at city’s Golyamari area.
A large portion of the lands beside this river have already been grabbed illegally. Earlier, some structures were evicted by the administration, but fresh river encroaching is going on without any hesitation.
On demand of recovery of the canals and rivers of Khulna, different organizations including Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC), voluntary organization Jonoudyog and development and environmentalists observed several agitation programs. But no permanent step was taken yet in this regard by the administration, said agitators.
This Correspondent found in spot visit that at least 30 feet lands beside the river Moyur were occupied by filling bricks and sand. A market was also built here by grabbing river where two-storied building were being built.
Sarwar Ahmed Salehin, additional deputy commissioner (ADC, Revenue) of Khulna said, We have heard the matter and sent some officers from the district administration who had told to stop the works of building structures. He said adding that after scrutinizing the documentary papers, proper steps would be taken by the district administration.
An alleged river grabber said, even if an inch of the river enters into my market, I’ll leave it immediately, I haven’t occupied river, I have built market on my land, I have requested to ADC, Revenue and UNO of Batiaghata to scrutiny papers in the mean time.
Local people said, even before two eras, sailing boats were going on the river Moyur, many fishermen conducted their livelihoods by fishing, used water of river Moyur for taking bath and washing necessaries, but at present there are no suitable environment here due to grabbing and pollution of this river. Earlier, 12 kilometers long Moyur river was connected with the river Rupsha.
With a view to return the navigability of the river Moyur, KC has implemented a project expending Taka 5 crore 78 lakh in 2016. But the canals of the city could not be made free from illegal encroachers still.
Reliable sources said, KC authorities had published a list of 81 illegal canal grabbers on February 10 in 2009.
50 rivers and canals of Khulna district administration are monitored by Khulna City Corporation (KCC).
At least 22 canals are under the illegal occupation of some influential grabbers, environmentalists apprehended.
Advocate Babul Howladar, Khulna Divisional Coordinator of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon said, Moyur river is now about to death, if the necessary step is not taken at this very moment, ferocious result will bring for the Khulna inhabitants.
Sheikh Mohammad Ali, 5 No. Ward Councilor of KCC who is also a Teachers’ Leader and Vice President of Daulatpur Thana Unit Awami League said, we as well as our government under the proper leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in strict position for eviction of river grabbers because she is the efficient daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the Nation.
Md. Mizanur Rahman Milton, a Sramik Leader of Daulatpur of Khulna said, Illegal river grabbers need be evicted as early as possible.
Sharif Shafiqul Hamid Chandon, President of Khulna Unyan Forum (Who was once GS of Daulatpur Govt B.L. College) said, Khulna inhabitants want grabbers free Khulna city and as such we have been observing several agitation programs for the development of Khulna.
Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, Secretary General of GKDACC said, some canals were freed from illegal grabbers, but fresh grabbers are creating in Khulna.
Meanwhile, we have observed demonstration program in front of Khulna City Corporation and also submitted memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Khulna on demand of eviction of the illegal rivers and canals grabbers, Sheikh Ashraf added.
