Grabbers eye Kuakata canal

Some influential people using the name of ruling Awami League are building structures by allegedly grabbing a portion of Ghatlar Khal, an important canal in Kuakata municipality.

This correspondent paid a visit to the area recently and saw some local influential people carrying out construction work on both sides of the canal, especially adjacent to the fish market beside Kuakata-Patuakhali highway.

The grabbers Sayeed Musullee, Ismail Mia, Abdul Mannan Akon, Sentu Mia, Haji Ismail and Abul Khayer Bachchu Mia claim that they are supporters of Awami League. Locals said the grabbers started the construction work after influencing the local ruling party leaders.

When asked how he could make a building by occupying a portion of the canal, Khayer said, “I did not occupy the canal. I bought 14 decimals of land a year ago and I am constructing the structure on 10 decimals of that land.”

Khayer identified himself as a leader of local Swechchhasebak League, a wing of ruling Awami League, but district unit General Secretary advocate Ujjal Basu said there is no one named Abul Khayer Bachchu in their committee.

Ujjal said steps would be taken against anyone who are involved in illegal activities, including land grabbing, using the name of the party.

Abul Hasan, a local, said the canal plays a vital role in draining water in the rainy season. Farmers depend on its water to irrigate their land, but natural flow of water has been greatly hampered due to the encroachment, he added.

This correspondent tried to contact the alleged grabbers, but they declined to make any comment to the media over the matter.

Kuakata Municipality Mayor Abul Bareq Mollah said he will take legal steps against the grabbers.

Assistant Commissioner (AC-Land) in Kalapara upazila Bipul Chandra Das said they are preparing a list of grabbers. All structures will be removed to free the canal very soon, he added.