Matsyajibi League leader builds market on 'environmentally critical area'

A local leader of the Awami League is establishing a market allegedly encroaching upon 2.3 acres of land in Cox's Bazar, in defiance of a status quo previously imposed by the apex court on the site.

The land, located near the Cox's Bazar beach's Sugandha Point on the Kalatoli main road, is an ecologically critical area, or ECA site, district administration say. 

According to Cox's Bazar sadar land registry office, the site was categorised as a "khas" land in 2018.

Later, one Sachchidananda Sengupta filed a writ petition at the High Court challenging the "khas" status of the land. After the HC issued an order to this end, the state filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

Cox's Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Nizam Uddin told The Business Standard that in response to the state appeal, the court put a status quo on the land on 3 September 2024.

However, neither the local community nor the parties who had moved the court over the land could not provide any information regarding the whereabouts of the petitioner, Sachchidananda, reports our correspondent.

Locals said following the Awami League government's ouster on 5 August last year, a group allegedly occupied the land, but was evicted by the Army. 

Soon after, it was discovered that the land was cordoned off with tin (corrugated iron sheet) boundaries, and a signboard was erected with a notice claiming an HC order in favour of the reported petitioner, Sachchidananda. 

The iron gate also bears a warning, written as—"This is a restricted area. Development work is going on here. Permission required for entry" 

Landfilling on the site commenced at that time.      

During a recent visit, some seven to eight workers were found working on the site, and brick-built walls for around 100 shops have already been erected to establish the market.

Workers said the market belongs to the Awami League leader, Obaidul Hasan.

Obaidul, from Maheshkhali upazila, is the vice president of the district unit Awami Matsyajibi League. He resides in Peshkar Para area of Cox's Bazar town at present.

He did not respond to TBS' requests for comment.  

Additional Deputy Commissioner Nizam Uddin explained that as per the land record, the site has been marked as an environmentally critical area (ECA) by the forests and environment ministry. "Legal action will be taken if any structure is constructed there or in the case of trespassing."

Acknowledging the matter, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Salahuddin told TBS that they have asked the additional district magistrate, upazila nirbahi officer and assistant commissioner (land) to investigate the matter and initiate necessary steps to this end.

"The matter has been reported to higher authorities, including the law and land ministries," added the DC.