'OUR CORRESPONDENT
CHATTOGRAM, Dec 24: Patenga sea beach, the most attractive tourist spot of Chattogram , has been occupied by the local influential people and hundreds of temporary shops have already been set up on the sea beach recently. The illegal occupiers have also occupied the walkway in the adjoining area of the beach and have also set up shops there.
The tourists cannot enjoy the beauty of beach due to the occupiers. The safety of the tourists is also at stake, said the locals and tourists.
Sources said the influential quarters and miscreants in the name of Sea Beach Hawkers Samity occupied the sea beach. The president of the so-called samity Nur Mohammed Boli who is also a leader of local Awami League allegedly gave allotment of shops in exchange of money. Besides, Wahed Master, a leader of Jubo League and president of Sea beach Shop Owners Association allegedly gave allotment of shops taking money. They have formed separate syndicates and set up several hundred shops on the beach and adjoining areas. Locals alleged that the syndicates take 200 to 300 taka from each shop per day. They set up around 700 to 800 shops in the beach area.
But nobody dares to talk against them as they present themselves as the local leaders of Awami League.
Jamshed Uddin, a tourist who used to go to Patenga sea beach for recreation said that once the Patenga sea beach was open for tourists. 'We go to Patenga and enjoy the beauty of beach. But, no tourist can go to beach as the entire beach is turning into a market. Hundreds of shop owners have occupied the beach, he added.
Nur Mohammed Boli and Wahed Master refuted the allegation of extortion, but they categorically admitted that they took taka 200 to 300 from each shop per day for their associations. Wahed Master said, "We never involve in extortion, but we are working for welfare of businessmen of the beach area." He alleged that they have to give bribe to tourist police and Patenga thana regularly.
Wahid Hasan, Jubo League leader of Patenga thana said he heard that Wahid Master and Nur Mohammed Boli and other extortionists made a syndicate and occupied the Patenga sea beach. He called upon the administration to recover the sea beach from illegal occupiers.
It may be mentioned that CDA(Chattagram Development Authority) will evict all illegal establishments including truck terminals, illegal shops and buildings from Patenga sea beach and adequate land in Patenga sea beach area will be taken up for development. A total of 7 miles from Patenga to Chattogram Export Processing (CEPZ) area will be declared as tourist's zone.
Chief Engineer of CDA Engineer Kaji Hasan Bin Shams said, "We have no alternative to declare Patenga as Tourist zone to restore the system and management in the beach area. CDA has already declared the Patenga sea beach area as tourist zone for its development. As per the project, we will set up two tourist blocks at two sides of the zone where rides and other equipment of amusements will be set up. We will evict all illegal establishments soon."
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