Dhaka River Grabbing
Govt now tries to save jetties
The government has filed a petition with the High Court to protect the jetties set up for commercial purposes on the four rivers around the capital.
It apparently marks a change in the government’s stance on the four rivers–Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Shitalakhya.
The Attorney General’s Office on Monday filed the petition for either modification of the earlier HC directives for removing the jetties, or two years’ time to dismantle the structures.
The HC bench of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore yesterday wrapped up hearing on the petition and set Wednesday for passing order on it.
On June 25 last year, the HC directed the government to remove all structures from the four rivers.
The court on March 21 this year modified the directives and ruled that the structures set up by the government in public interests will not be removed.
Some commercial companies challenged part of the HC verdict and sought a stay on the government notice asking them to remove their jetties and other structures.
The HC in its June 25 [last year] verdict said the exact boundaries of the rivers have to be marked out through surveys. It also ordered the government to designate the rivers as “Ecologically Critical Areas” to facilitate the demarcation.
Once the demarcation is complete, the authorities concerned must have the riverbanks lined with pillars, tree plantation, walkways and pavements by November 30 this year, the verdict said.
It directed the government to constitute a National River Protection Commission with the experts concerned within three months to properly preserve and develop the country’s rivers.
The Attorney General’s Office supported the HC during hearing of the petitions.
Even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on different occasions spoke of her government’s commitment to save the rivers from pollution and grabbers.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on May 3 this year upheld the HC verdict after dismissing seven appeals filed by seven companies.
The companies are City Group of Industries, Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd, Kamal Vegetable, Akij Cement, ACI Cement, Cimex Cement and Molla Salt Industries.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam yesterday told The Daily Star that the government will remove the jetties for saving the rivers, but it needs time to do that.
Manzill Musrhid, the lawyer for Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, however, said the government has changed its stand on the four rivers.
The government has filed the petition seeking time from the HC, and praying for modification of its judgment so that the jetties are not removed, although the apex court has upheld the HC verdict, he added.
