‘Illegal Occupiers Evicting Us from Our Land’: Cox’s Bazar Protesters Demand Justice

Staff Reporter

In Cox’s Bazar, a massive protest erupted against the eviction drive by the district administration and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to reclaim land along the Bankkhali River. The demonstration brought the city to a standstill as locals voiced their outrage over what they call unjust evictions.

On Friday, September 5, 2025, thousands gathered at Gumgastala on the airport road, blocking traffic for nearly two hours. The Bangladesh Army intervened to restore order, but tension in Cox’s Bazar persists as residents demand fair treatment. This anti-eviction protest has sparked widespread attention, highlighting issues of land rights and forced displacement.

The Bankkhali River reclamation effort faced fierce resistance from people across various professions. Protesters expressed anger toward the interim government and administration, accusing them of targeting rightful landowners. Moslema Khatun, a housewife wielding a broom, passionately declared, “Those who illegally occupied the country are now evicting us. We won’t surrender an inch of our land without compensation or rehabilitation.” Her words resonated with locals, fueling the Cox’s Bazar protest movement.

During the eviction operation, an excavator was vandalized, and protesters surrounded army and police officials, alleging that even those with valid land documents were being unfairly targeted under the guise of river reclamation. Mohammad Ali, a resident of Nuniar Chhara, stated, “We’re willing to give land for the Bankkhali River, but mass evictions without proper procedures are unacceptable. We’ll sacrifice our lives before leaving our homes.”

Lutfur Rahman Kajol, a former MP and BNP leader, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation before evictions. He said, “We respect the High Court’s verdict, but the administration must define the river’s boundaries first. Evictions without resettlement plans will trigger a humanitarian crisis in Cox’s Bazar.” Since the eviction drive began on September 1, 2025, over 400 temporary and permanent structures have been demolished, and at least 58 acres of land have been reclaimed.

However, the anti-eviction movement has led to multiple clashes with police, vandalism, and legal cases, with several arrests reported in connection to two lawsuits. The High Court on August 24, 2025, mandated the removal of illegal structures along the Bankkhali River and measures to curb pollution within four months. The ongoing eviction campaign by the administration and BIWTA is part of this directive, but it has sparked significant unrest in Cox’s Bazar, raising questions about land rights, government accountability, and humanitarian concerns.