Thousands pack Cox's Bazar beach

COX'S BAZAR, Dec 17: A large number of holidaymakers flocked to the sea beach of Cox's Bazar, a

popular tourist destination, on the Victory Day on Monday.

They were spotted in Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatali points of the beach taking pictures, riding horses, having chats and enjoying the majestic grandeur of Nature along the seashore.

Some people were dressed in red and green bearing resemblance to the national flag while some others

were carrying the flags in their hands.

Apart from the Cox's Bazar beach, tourists thronged various entertainment spots, including Marine Drive, Dariyanagar, Himchhari Jharna, Inani-Patuartek rocky beach, Teknaf beach, Nature Park, Dulahazara Safari Park, and Ramur Buddhist Village.

More than 500 city hotels and motels were completely booked, resulting in many suffering due to unavailability of rooms.

Tourist Sajeeb Uddin said Cox's Bazar is blessed with a wonderful

environment. "Without coming here, you can't feel the real beauty and splendour of Cox's Bazar. If we had not booked a hotel room in advance, we would be in deep trouble."

Siraj Mia, another vacationer, said, "Cox's Bazar beach looks so amazing in the winter. So I've rushed to Cox's Bazar to spend time with my family."

Holidaymaker Gias Uddin said that many tourists have landed in trouble as a vast number of people have arrived here at the same time.

"Many are staying with their bags on the beach, unable to find a hotel room." He alleged that many hotel owners are charging tourists exorbitant rents. And there are hardly any seats available in the crowded places, he added.

Senior lifeguard Md. Zahirul Islam, who is on duty at the beach, said that lifeguards carry out their responsibilities in three points on the beach. They conduct rescue operations if someone gets washed away by the waves while bathing.

Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox's Bazar Hotel Resort Owners' Association, said that no discount is being offered on rent after December 16 although the maximum discount was 30 per cent from November to December 15.

Additional Superintendent of Police of the District Traffic Police Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said that more than 600 tourist vehicles entered Cox's Bazar since Sunday night.

The simultaneous entry of too many vehicles is contributing to snarl-up in the city. Due to the enormous pressure of tourists, there will be traffic gridlock until January 15.

About 40 traffic policemen are working to handle the situation.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad

Salahuddin said a number of mobile courts led by first-class magistrates have been deployed

to monitor whether hotel owners are overcharging cashing in on the massive influx of tourists.

He warned that they will get tough with those charging excessive price.

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