“We want the government to empower us for carrying out anti-encroachment drives, taking action against offenders and preventing any form of river pollution,” NRCC Chairman Muzibur Rahman Howlader said while talking to the Dhaka Tribune. The NRCC chief said the commission must be allowed to operate like other government entities, such as the National Human Rights Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission. Working at field level against those responsible for land grabbing and river pollution is tough, Muzibur said, adding that political involvement in a number of cases helped the culprits to re-erect structures, contributing to river pollution. The High Court on February 3 ordered the NRCC to submit a compliance report on river encroachment within six months. The amendments ordered include strict punishment and fines for river encroachment, filing of cases and investigation.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 07, 2019 18:33 UTC