Pillar installation at Bakkhali River halted amid protests
BIWTA Executive Magistrate Md Ashrafur Rahman said the installation has been halted due to security concerns
Installation of river port boundary pillars along the Bakkhali River in Cox's Bazar has been suspended after thousands of residents launched a blockade and staged violent protests today (7 December).
The demonstration, which included burning tires, felling trees and blocking roads, forced authorities to halt the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's (BIWTA) boundary demarcation work, confirmed Cox's Bazar River Port officer Abdul Wakil.
He said BIWTA, with support from the district administration, demolished 450 structures and reclaimed 63 acres of riverbank land between 1-5 September.
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The agency then initiated a plan to mark river port boundaries with durable pillars, put up signboards and install barbed wire fencing between 3-10 December based on a 2019 joint survey map.
"Although protests began on Thursday, operations had not started until today. When the police and an executive magistrate moved to begin the installation, thousands surrounded the site, blocked roads and set fires. Gunshots and crude bomb blasts were heard. Work has been suspended due to the blockade," Wakil said, adding that legal measures are being taken.
He claimed that those resisting the demarcation have no valid ownership documents.
"No eviction is underway now. We are only installing pillars on land already vacated in September. Old occupants have mobilised outsiders to obstruct government activities," he said.
By late morning, Kasturaghat along the Bakkhali riverbank turned into a protest zone, with demonstrators chanting slogans and preventing BIWTA and police officials from entering the area.
Protester Abdul Gafur alleged that his home was demolished despite a court order halting the construction of permanent structures.
"BIWTA is ignoring the court's directive and trying to occupy the entire area with fencing and pillars. We will not allow it," he said.
Another protester, Sheikh Newaz, claimed, "There are 450 families here. Everyone has documents, but the administration refuses to recognise them."
Advocate Mohammad Yusuf echoed the allegations, saying, "Authorities are disregarding court orders and documents. Their actions cannot continue."
BIWTA Executive Magistrate Md Ashrafur Rahman said the installation has been halted due to security concerns.
"The next course of action will be decided after consultation with higher authorities," he said.
