Mobile courts to stop river encroachment

A government task force to prevent encroachment and pollution of rivers flowing in and around the capital has decided to use mobile courts to punish offenders.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 8 June 2014, 09:57 AM
Updated : 8 June 2014, 10:29 AM

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, who heads the task force, said special drives to prevent encroachment and pollution was an ongoing process.

"We have decided to set up mobile courts to punish criminals instantly during these drives," he told reporters after a meeting of reconstituted task force on Sunday.

"The rivers will be freed from the encroachers no matter how influential they are," said the minister.

Headed by Khan, the task force was formed during the previous Awami League-led government.

It was reconstituted after the party came to power for a second successive term.

Khan said they would finalise the list of mobile courts after consulting the law ministry.

Most of the boundary pillars of rivers around Dhaka are in place, he said.

Concerned deputy commissioners have been directed to sort out whatever allegations that comes up, the minister added.

A committee to raise awareness against river encroachment and pollution has been formed with MP Sanjida Begum leading it.

Khan said they also decided to set up another committee of experts on Dhaka's waste management.

"We have written to concerned deputy commissioners to find out about the condition of rivers. A concerted initiative will be taken after we get their reply," he said.