Human Chain in Patuakhali
'Pay compensation for acquired land, halt river erosion'
A large number of people form a human chain on the bank of Kajal River at Charkajol in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali district yesterday demanding proper compensation for the lands acquired for a newly found gas field in the area, early start of gas extraction and steps to prevent erosion.Photo: STAR
People of two remote chars under Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali district yesterday formed a human chain on the bank of the river Kajal demanding steps to protect the areas from river erosion and proper compensation for their land acquired by Petrobangla to drill natural gas well. Abul Kalam, president of Char Kajal land owners' association, said Patuakhali district administration acquired 21 acres of land in Char Kajal to drill a gas well in the area. Of the acquired land, 15 acres belong to local people while the remaining six acres are khas land. He said the district administration has fixed Tk 5,100 for per Katha of the acquired private land but local price of that land is Tk 15,000. The char people urged the district administration to give proper compensation for their land. Char Kajal and Char Biswas Students Welfare Association organised the programme. They also demanded steps to protect the two char areas from erosion by the river Kajal. The said the river devoured about 10,000 acres of land in the last 10 years. Contacted, Md Eusuf Ali Mollah, additional deputy commissioner (ADC-revenue) of Patuakhali, said they have already sent letters to the authorities concerned, urging them to give proper compensation to Char Kajal people for their land.
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