CHATTOGRAM, May 04: Patenga sea beach, the most attractive tourist spot of Chattogram, is being occupied by some influential persons who have set up shops on the beach in recent times.
Sources said the walkways on the sea beach are being occupied by 'vested quarters' and shops are being set up there.
Meanwhile, rival groups are frequently engaged in clashes over the establishment of shops on the beach.
Officials at the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) have said that all illegal establishments will be evicted from Patenga sea beach very soon.
CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams said, "The CDA has already declared the Patenga sea beach area as a tourist zone for its development. We will evict all illegal establishments soon."
Some miscreants are extorting money by leasing several kilometres of the government land on Patenga sea beach. They are taking Tk 30,000 to 50,000 as lease money for providing a shop space on the government land.
Besides, shopkeepers have to pay Tk 100 to 1,700 in toll per day to the miscreants. The extortion money is allegedly taken by 'Jubo League leaders' every evening.
Sources say the groups of Wahidul Alam and Musa Alam control the entire Patenga beach area.
But, another group, led by 'terrorist' Masud Alam, attacked the groups of Wahid, a leader of Jubo League and president of the Sea Beach Shop Owners Association, and Musa Alam.
Masud is the son of Nur Mohammed Boli, president of the Hawkers' Samity which allegedly gave allotment of shops by taking money.
A shopkeeper, Kabir Ahmed, said, "We sell Pianju and fish. A daily subscription of Tk 500 has to be paid. How much money do you trade to earn Tk 500? How can I run the business by paying toll to Jubo League miscreants?"
Kabirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Patenga Police Station, has said several syndicates are active on Patenga beach. Shops on a beach are illegal. There are various illegal activities on the beach. Miscreants try to commit crimes.
Jamshed Uddin, a tourist, said once Patenga sea beach was opened to tourists who can enjoy the beauty of the beach. But, no tourist can go to the beach as the total beach is being tuned into a market. Even people occupied the walkways.
Nur Mohammed Boli and Wahed Master denied the allegation of extortion, but they categorically said that they took Tk 200 to 300 from each shop per day for their associations.
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