People on Raozan upazila of Chattogram demolished an illegal structure on Saturday that was built by occupying one side of the old Kashkhali canal bank, restricting the water flow.
The old Kashkhali Canal, located to the north of Fakirhat under ward no.8 in Raozan municipality, is the only way for water to flow for at least 10 villages. This canal is being illegally occupied, and multiple structures are being built on it. One of the structures were brought down by the agitated locals.
A person named Dedarul Alam is allegedly involved in building those illegal structures. Local residents complained against him to the upazila administration and concerned authorities, but no action has been taken so far. Later, an agitated crowd demolished the illegal structures built on the canal on Saturday. The demolished wall was constructed in the path of the canal's water flow.
During that time, an agitated local resident, Md Nasir, said the way the canal is being occupied and structures are being built, it is likely to block the drainage path and cause water logging. The administration should take prompt action. Md Ali and Giash Uddin said if the administration does not take prompt action, there is a possibility of waterlogging and increased suffering. They have requested intervention from the municipal authorities and the upazila administration.
After hearing the news, Rezaul Rahim Azam, the former councilor of ward no. 8 of Raozan Municipality and a district BNP leader, rushed to the spot. He said the old Kashkhali Canal, which is the only waterway for at least 10 villages in Raozan, is illegally occupied, and multiple individuals built permanent structures on it. The agitated crowd demolished a wall.
He further said it is crucial that these illegal structures be demolished. On behalf of the people of the area, I urge the administration to conduct a prompt eviction drive. In this regard, Md Ridowanul Islam, the Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and municipal administrator of Raozan upazila, said if someone constructs something that blocks the flow of water, action will be taken. I am currently on leave and have not received any reports about the agitated crowd demolishing the boundary wall or any such incident.
