Case filed after protesters disrupt BIWTA boundary demarcation in Cox's Bazar
Those named in the case include a district Jubo Dal leader
A case has been filed after evicted locals disrupted the installation of boundary pillars on land reclaimed from illegal occupation at the Bakkhali River port area in Cox's Bazar's Kasturaghat.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) authorities filed the case, naming nine individuals and accusing an additional 400 unidentified people.
Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Samiyuddin said that the case was officially recorded on Thursday (11 December) night based on a complaint filed by Md Abdul Wakil, the port officer of the under-construction Cox's Bazar river port.
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Those named in the case include district Jubo Dal leader Advocate Mohammad Ismail; contractor Atikul Islam; Shaplapur Union Parishad Chairman Advocate Abdul Khalek; contractor Atikul's employee Mohammad Azad; lawyers Saikat Dey, Mohammad Yusuf, and Saifuddin Khaled; businessman Adnan Saud and his brother Hannan Saud.
According to the case statement, BIWTA identified land in Kasturaghat and surrounding areas in 2019, following a joint survey, for the construction of the Cox's Bazar river port. However, influential individuals had been occupying the land illegally for years, and despite multiple notices and attempts, authorities were unable to remove them.
From 1 to 5 September, with support from the Cox's Bazar district administration, BIWTA demolished around 450 illegal structures in the area and reclaimed 63 acres of riverbank land. To prevent reoccupation, the agency began demarcating the cleared land.
On 7 December, when BIWTA started installing boundary pillars with assistance from the administration and law enforcement, evicted locals staged protests and obstructed the work. Protesters reportedly fired shots and detonated crude bombs (cocktails), creating panic and forcing authorities to halt the demarcation activities.
OC Mohammad Samiyuddin said that efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused.
Meanwhile, the evicted individuals claim the land in question is privately owned and that a High Court injunction prohibits BIWTA from undertaking any construction there.
