Clash During Eviction Drive on Bankkhali River in Cox’s Bazar, Police Injured

A clash and attack occurred during an eviction drive against illegal occupants along the banks of the Bankkhali River, the main river in Cox’s Bazar city. The incident took place on Tuesday (September 2) at around 11 a.m. in the Kasturaghat area, leaving one police officer injured.

According to reports, a joint force led by the District Administration and BIWTA began the eviction of illegal structures, but local occupiers resisted. They organized a protest march under the banner of “All levels of the Ukilpara community in Badramokamst” and at one point threw bricks and stones at law enforcement personnel. Police retaliated to control the situation.

Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jasim Uddin Chowdhury stated that the injured officer has been hospitalized. He added that the situation is now under control and the eviction drive is ongoing.

Officials participating in the drive said that under the High Court’s order, the lands and natural flow of the Bankkhali River are being cleared of encroachments. Since the operation began on Monday, over a hundred illegal structures have already been removed, recovering several acres of land. The drive is scheduled to continue until September 5.

Meanwhile, the occupiers claimed that they purchased the land with government permission and pay regular taxes. They alleged that despite having valid documents, they are being evicted.

It is worth noting that in February and March 2023, a large-scale eviction drive cleared nearly 300 acres of land along the Bankkhali River, but recently, the area has been encroached upon again.