Demolition of 229 illegal buildings that obstruct water flow in Satkhira begins
Affected traders said they were facing huge financial losses in this abrupt demolition drive
To remove waterlogging in Satkhira, the administration on Saturday initiated a drive to demolish illegal structures along the canal of Pran Sayer, the only way for water to drain out of the city.
Affected traders said they were facing huge financial losses in this abrupt demolition drive, though the administration said a notice had been issued beforehand for removal of goods from the shops.
The operation started from Satkhira Sultanpur fish market area. Businessman Mahbubur Rahman said no one was able to remove the goods from the shop as the eviction drive started suddenly in the morning. Including the shops and goods, the traders say they have lost millions of takas.
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Fish trader Md Nurul Amin said, "More than 50 shops have been demolished though they still have the lease term taken from the municipality. We demand proper compensation and we are drawing the attention of the prime minister.
Demanding speedy excavation of the canal, Satkhira Fish Market Association president Abdur Rob said the canal needs to be excavated to solve the water-logging problem. "Our only demand is that the canal be dug quickly. Otherwise, the administration will be responsible to the traders for their financial losses."
Indrajith Saha, the executive magistrate of the district administration, who is conducting the eviction drive, said, "The eviction drive would be carried out to save the people of Satkhira from waterlogging by digging the canal of Pran Sayer. We have been announcing the eviction drive across the city for the past one week but these traders have not removed their goods."
He added that 50 illegal establishments were demolished on the first day. The operation will continue until the demolition of all illegal structures on both sides of the canal is completed.
