Climate refugees residing in Cox鈥檚 Bazar staged a protest on Tuesday, demanding cancellation of the eviction plan linked to the airport expansion project.聽
The protest began at around 10:00am on Tuesday with residents blocking roads near the deputy commissioner office and the airport.
Thousands of residents from Samitipara and Kutubdia Para joined the demonstration, which included a rally in front of the deputy commissioner office. The blockade caused a disruption in traffic for about an hour.
The programme concluded with a memorandum sent to the chief adviser through the deputy commissioner, demanding the cancellation of the previous government鈥檚 lease and permanent settlement rights for the community, which has been living in the area for 44 years.
The affected locals alleged that previous governments unjustly leased out 682 acres of land to the airport, depriving the underprivileged population of their basic rights.
They argued that only the essential amount of land required for national interests should be allocated.聽
The airport expansion plan, initiated in 2019, involves resettling affected families through a government housing project in Khurushkul. As part of this special project, several hundred families have been already provided with flats.
Speaking on the matter, Cox鈥檚 Bazar deputy commissioner Md Salauddin said, 鈥楾he entire area in Ward 1 is government-owned khas land, inhabited by a significant number of climate refugees. A special housing project comprising 137 five-story buildings in Khurushkul is being developed for them.鈥櫬�
Since 1981, displaced people from coastal areas affected by river erosion, including Kutubdia, Dhalghata in Maheshkhali, and Matarbari, have taken refuge in this area.
Currently, more than 50,000 people from 12,000 families reside in this locality.
