Business owners have voluntarily removed hundreds of makeshift structures from the sand dunes of Cox’s Bazar sea beach following a move by the administration to restore discipline and natural beauty to the tourist destination.
The initiative came after Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed directed authorities to take steps to bring order and improve the aesthetics of the beach.
On Sunday morning, preparations for an eviction drive began at Sugandha Point of the beach. A large number of law enforcement personnel, including members of the army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and Ansar, took position under the supervision of an executive magistrate while bulldozers were brought to the site.
According to officials, situation changed after repeated announcements through loudspeakers, prompting traders to remove their shops and structures on their own initiative. The process continued until around 3:00 AM.
According to the district administration, more than 600 structures were removed from Sugandha Point and nearby areas.
Cox’s Bazar District Executive Magistrate (Tourism Cell) Manju Bin Afnan said traders had been informed on Saturday that they would be given time until 10:00 AM on Sunday to remove their establishments following their request.
“Due to the large number of shops and goods, traders sought additional time in the morning, which was granted by the administration. They removed their structures within the extended timeframe,” he said.
He added that similar drives would continue at other points of the beach in phases to free the sand dunes from illegal structures.
Earlier, at a special meeting of the Cox’s Bazar District Disciplinary Committee on March 9, the home minister instructed authorities to take necessary measures to restore order and the natural beauty of the beach.
SU/AM
