Illegal Structures on Cancelled Plots Demolished in Cox’s Bazar

The district administration has demolished illegal structures built on government plots that had been cancelled in the Kalatali hotel-motel zone of Cox’s Bazar city. Although the district administration had served the concerned parties with ‘red notices’ giving them 24 hours to remove the structures, they failed to comply within the stipulated time. The administration subsequently conducted a drive on Thursday (October 1) and demolished the structures. The eviction has brought relief to local residents.
According to local sources, Yusuf Abdullah and others had been occupying government land and constructing illegal structures one after another from the Kalatali Police Box to the area adjacent to Ocean Paradise, allegedly in violation of a court order maintaining the status quo. Construction work reportedly continued day and night behind tin fencing. Several reports on the issue were subsequently published in the media.
A visit to the site found several structures, including ticket counters, travel agencies and tea stalls. Allegations also emerged that hundreds of thousands of taka were being collected as advance payments and monthly rent in the name of allotting the shops.
Following the media reports, the district administration took the matter seriously and conducted the eviction drive. District Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan said that constructing any structure on cancelled government plots was completely illegal and that the administration was determined to take strict legal action to protect government property.
Meanwhile, expressing satisfaction over the drive, local residents called for regular operations against illegal shacks and shops that have sprung up around Kalatali intersection, areas near the beach and various points along the beach. They also urged the authorities to identify and bring to justice those who were allegedly the main instigators and financiers behind the construction of the illegal structures.