Eviction drive on Bankkhali river stalls on third day due to local resistance
Hundreds of locals continued their protest on both sides, claiming they have valid land documents and records for the properties
Authorities could not begin operations on the third day of the eviction drive along the banks of the Bankkhali river in Cox's Bazar today (3 September) due to stiff resistance from locals.
In the morning, when the eviction team attempted to start demolitions in the Peshkar Para area on the eastern side of Kasturaghat, residents blocked the road and created obstacles. Even when the team tried to begin operations from the river side, they faced resistance.
Hundreds of locals continued their protest on both sides, claiming they have valid land documents and records for the properties. They vowed to sacrifice their lives but not allow the eviction drive to proceed.
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Although a large number of police, RAB, and army personnel were present at the scene, and the executive magistrate repeatedly urged the crowd to disperse, they refused to leave. As a result, officials could not confirm whether the eviction drive was actually taking place.
Bakkhali river eviction drive enters 2nd day: Occupiers injure constable, 4 detained
The eviction campaign began on Monday at Kasturaghat, targeting illegal structures built along the Bankkhali river. Over the first two days, at least 70 acres of land were recovered. On the second day, a police officer was injured by brick-throwing from illegal occupants, and four people were detained.
Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ilias Khan said, police later filed a case against the detainees for obstructing government work and attacking law enforcement officers, sending them to court.
According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) sources,the Bakkhali river, originating in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, stretches 81 kilometres before meeting the Bay of Bengal at Nuniyachhara via Kasturaghat. Over the past decade, its natural course has been severely encroached, with more than 1,000 illegal structures built along the six-kilometre stretch between Nuniyachhara and Majhirghat.
A joint survey by the local land office and BIWTA identified over 300 influential encroachers.
Authorities resume crackdown on illegal settlements along Bakkhali River after 2.5 years
The crisis dates back to 2010, when a government gazette appointed BIWTA custodian of the Bakkhali River Port and directed that 721 acres of riverbank land be transferred to the authority. Despite repeated requests, the handover never occurred, leaving the river vulnerable to unchecked occupation.
On 24 August, the High Court ordered the government to prepare a complete list of encroachers, carry out evictions, and enforce pollution control measures within four months.
The court also instructed that the river's boundaries be fixed according to its current flow and official survey records.
