People of Cox's Bazar protest against eviction

People from 17 neighbourhoods of Ward No. 1 of Cox's Bazar Municipality have submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, addressing the chief adviser, demanding the cancellation of the eviction process of about 60,000 people of the area.

They staged a sit-in programme in front of the Cox's Bazar DC office from 9:30am to 12:30pm on Tuesday (January 7) and held a rally to press their demand. The rally was attended by thousands of local residents. During this time, the main road from Laldighi to Jhautala in the city was blocked, creating a severe traffic jam on the main road of the city.

The speakers at the rally said we, the residents of Ward No. 1, are surviving by fighting storms and the sea. “All of us here are climate refugees. We have no place to live except this place. If necessary, we will give our lives to protect the soil and our habitat.”

They also warned of strict action if the area is permanently leased to the civil aviation.

In this regard, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said, "We have accepted the memorandum. It will be forwarded to the chief adviser. Various departments are involved in the process. Hopefully, we will be able to come to a decision."

Didarul Islam Rubel, a resident of Ward No. 1 and the cultural affairs secretary of the District Jubo Dal, said, "We demand permanent settlement in Ward No. 1 for us. There are 50,000 people living in the area with 19 mosques, 19 cemeteries, 17 neighbourhoods and the largest dry fish processing area in South Asia. We do not want to live in fear of eviction."

Zahidul Islam, a resident of the same ward, said, "A few days ago, people from the civil aviation came to list our names for eviction. They said that we would be evicted within six months."

He also said, "The Civil Aviation took 682 acres of land from the government for a nominal price of one lakh and one taka. We have been living in this place for the past 40 years. We do not want to be evicted. We want permanent settlement."