District Correspondent, Sylhet
After the deadline set by the administration for removing illegal structures in Haripur Bazaar of Jaintapur Upazila had passed, an eviction drive was conducted.
On Wednesday at 10 AM, Jaintapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) George Mitra Chakma led the eviction of illegal establishments that had been set up on both sides of the highway on the land belonging to the Roads and Highways Department. Present at the scene was Major Mazharul Islam of the 27th Infantry Regiment of the Haripur Gas Field Army Camp.
Earlier, on Sunday, the upazila administration and joint forces evicted the illegally established cattle market that had been set up beyond the leased boundary in Haripur Bazaar. Following this, on Tuesday, as per the directive of the upazila administration, the 27th Infantry Regiment of the Army announced via loudspeakers at noon, instructing that all illegal structures set up along both sides of the Tamabil Highway in Haripur Bazaar must be removed by 4 PM on Tuesday.
Upon hearing the army’s announcement, local traders and owners of illegal structures began removing their goods and construction materials. However, due to the short notice, many could not move their belongings in time, so the administration extended the deadline until 10 AM the next day.
Starting Wednesday morning, the eviction drive began from Taruhati Point in the presence of administrative officials, officials from the Sylhet Roads and Highways Division, officials from the Sylhet-Tamabil Six-Lane Project, and land surveyors from the Land Office. As per the latest reports, the eviction drive was ongoing without any interruptions.
Previously, on the night of March 26, an army patrol team was attacked by smugglers in Haripur Bazaar while returning after seizing illegal Indian cattle.
Since then, the administration has taken a strict stance against all forms of illegal smuggling and unlawful activities in Haripur Bazaar.
Others present at today’s eviction drive included Assistant Project Director of the Sylhet-Tamabil Highway Six-Lane Project Iqbal Hayat, Sub-Assistant Engineer of the Sylhet Division Roads and Highways Department Mohammad Solaiman, Sub-Assistant Engineer Shamim Ahmed, Jaintapur Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Shankar Chandra Dev, and officials from the Jaintapur Land Office.
Jaintapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer George Mitra Chakma stated that the Tamabil Highway serves as a major route for tourists and visitors traveling from various parts of the country, including Jaintapur, Gowainghat, and neighboring Kanaighat. Over the past few years, illegal structures and a makeshift Laguna stand along the highway have caused prolonged traffic congestion in Haripur Bazaar.
He further added that after Haripur, the upazila administration will take all necessary measures to ease traffic congestion on the Tamabil Highway, and similar operations will continue. He sought the cooperation of all in these efforts.
