Environment activists on Saturday demanded immediate removal of all illegal structures from Bangshi river in Savar, on the outskirts of capital Dhaka, to save the river.
They placed the demand at two separate human chains organised by Nodi O Poribesh Unnoyon Parishad in Thana Stand area and on the Bangshi River in Namabazar area.
Addressing the protest on the Bangsi river, President of Nodi O Poribesh Unnoyon Parishad and agriculturist Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Mollah said influential people including the son of Savar municipality mayor have been involved in river encroachment for long.
Besides, a large portion of Dhaleshwari river has been grabbed hampering the river waterflow, he added. Referring to the eviction drives on the Buriganga riverbank, Dr Rafiqul urged the authorities concerned to take action against the river grabbers.
Admitting the involvement of a family member, Savar municipality Mayor and Awami League’s Savar municipality President Hazi Abdul Goni said more than 600 people occupied river lands.
“My son’s name has come in river grabbing list released by the administration. But I assure you that I will be the first one to remove my son’s establishment once an eviction drive starts,” he said adding a group of people are trying to tarnishing his image ahead of the upcoming municipality polls.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief and local lawmaker Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the authorities concerned are trying to identify the people who have set up illegal structures on the river.
“Action will be taken against the river grabbers soon,” he told the reporters after a meeting of Al’s Savar municipality committee on Saturday.
Earlier local administration named as many as 65 people, including incumbent Savar mayor’s son Shahin, for grabbing the river land in the area.
