Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) leaders yesterday demanded the government save five rivers from land grabbers by suspending its initiative of setting up boundary pillars along their banks.
The rivers are Turag, Balu, Shitalakhhya, Buriganga and Dhaleshwari.
The leaders of the organisation at a rally held in front of the Jatiya Press Club said though the protection of rivers is a common demand of people, the way the pillars are being erected in the name of protecting those is creating scope for land grabbers.
The leaders also demanded setting up pillars following the direction of the High Court properly.
BIWTA authorities had set up over 100 pillars along the bank of Turag to save the occupiers who had already grabbed a section of the river, they alleged.
If the erection of pillars continues, the foreshore of the rivers will be lost and a huge portion of rivers will go under the ownership of individuals, they said.
Bapa leaders also said due to the pillars only Shitalakhhya will lose around 1,860 acres of land.
BIWTA authorities in association with district administrations have been setting up pillars along the banks of five rivers 'following' the HC order.
Mohidul Hoque Khan, former general secretary of Bapa, presided over the rally.
General Secretary of Bapa Abdul Matin, Dr Md Nuruddin, executive director of Sheba, among others, addressed the rally.
News Source: The Daily Star