More than 18,000 out of 60,000 illegal river grabbers across the country have already been evicted in the course of several drives. 

National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) Chairman ASM Ali Kabir revealed the numbers while addressing a discussion meeting on Saturday held at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in the city. 

The NRCC chairman said that it has prepared a list of 60,000 illegal river grabbers. Of them, more than 18,000 illegal occupants were evicted conducting several drives. 

He said that though  illegal grabbers are very influential, the NRCC is also very strong. "Those who are still occupying the river lands would be evicted soon. At the same time, legal actions would also be taken against them if they don’t return the lands," Ali Kabir said. 

Responding to the demand, the NRCC Chairman opined that the government should constitute a separate ‘River and Waterbody Ministry’ to save the country’s rivers for the betterment of people's livelihood and protecting the  ecosystem conserving water in the rivers. 

Bangladesh Nodi Bachao Andolon (Save the Rivers Movement of Bangladesh) organized the meeting to mark World Rivers Day, 2021. The day is observed every year on the fourth Sunday of September. 

Organisation’s Central President Prof Anwar Sadat chaired the meeting and joint secretary Burhanuddin Auronno moderated the event while NRCC member Kamrun Nahar Ahmed, General Secretary Anwar Hossain, vice presidents SM Shafiqul Islam Kanu, Majeda Shawkat, Lutfor Rahman, Khandker Amirul Haq, Monir Munna, joint secretaries Kalimullah Iqbal, Basir Uddin, Amirul Islam, Treasurer Anwar Hossain and Shamim Ahmed Dewan, Dhaka City Unit General Secretary Mohosinul Karim and vice president Mizanur Rahman also spoke, among others. 

NRCC member Kamrun Nahar Ahmed said the rivers can’t be occupied in future in the name of development. All illegal structures will be evicted from river embankments. To ensure punishment of the grabbers and polluters, steps have been taken to amend the existing law keeping the offenses as criminal offense, she added. 

The speakers also demanded constitution of a tribunal for punishing the grabbers and polluters, recovering the rivers and canals from the illegal occupants and preventing misuse of public funds allocated for saving the rivers.