HC seeks list of Karnaphuli land grabbers
A specialised team has been directed to conduct surveys and submit reports within three months
FE REPORT | Wednesday, 15 November 2023
The High Court issued an order on Tuesday mandating concerned authorities to identify the primary boundaries of the Karnaphuli River in Anwara, Patia, Karnaphuli, and Boalkhali upazilas of Chattogram.
A specialized team has been directed to conduct relevant surveys and submit a report within three months.
The authorities are also required to provide a list of individuals involved in land encroachment along the river in these areas.
The Director General of the Directorate of Land Record and Survey and the Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram have been instructed to adhere to this order.
The HC bench, comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah, issued the directive following a writ petition filed by the rights organization "Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB)," seeking necessary measures to protect the river.
Three Supreme Court lawyers, representing HRPB, filed the writ petition on November 12 in response to media reports on land grabbing along the river.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid presented the case during the court hearing, with Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy representing the state.
The High Court also ordered an immediate halt to encroachments, land grabbing, and construction on Karnaphuli River's land, demanding a compliance report within two weeks.
The Mayor of the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), Chairman of the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), and Chattogram DC have been instructed to comply with this order.
Furthermore, the HC issued a rule, compelling relevant government authorities to explain within four weeks why their inaction against land grabbing and construction on Karnaphuli River's land should not be deemed illegal.
The rule seeks an explanation as to why respondents should not be directed to safeguard the river from encroachment.
The Environment Secretary, Water Development Secretary, Planning Secretary, Land Secretary, Finance Secretary, Shipping Secretary, Mayor of the CCC, Chairman of the CDA, and other respondents have been given a four-week deadline to comply with the rule.