HC asks to remove 2,181 structures from Karnaphuli bank

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to remove 2,181 structures illegally built on the banks of the River Karnaphuli in Chittagong.

In response to a writ petition, the HC asked Chittagong deputy commissioner to issue a circular through two local newspapers in seven days after receiving the full judgment asking the owners of illegal structures to relocate their illegal structures.

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If the structures are not relocated in 90 days, the authorities concerned will evict those.

The court, however, asked the Chittagong Coast Guard and Chittagong Port Authority to collect the environment clearance certificate from the Department of Environment for their six structures built on the bank of Karnaphuli river so that those do not have to relocated.

The High Court Bench of Justice Md Rezaul Hasan and Justice Kashefa Hussain came up with the verdict after hearing a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

Earlier on July 18 of 2010, the High Court following the petition directed the deputy commissioner of Chittagong to submit a report before this on the illegal structures built on the banks of Karnaphuli River.

The DC on November 8 submitted the report to the High Court saying that 21, 81 structures have been built illegally on the banks of the river.