COX’S BAZAR, Aug 17 (V7N) — More than 10 acres of government-owned land at the Sugandha beach point in Cox’s Bazar were allegedly fenced off overnight, sparking concerns over an attempt to occupy prime public land in the country’s leading tourist destination.

The land, located on the right side of the entrance to Sugandha Beach, was reportedly enclosed with corrugated metal sheets and bamboo fencing late Friday night. Local traders estimate that the land could be worth several hundred crore taka at current market prices.

According to local businesspeople, around 30 to 40 workers began constructing the fencing around midnight, while another group of 10 to 12 people were reportedly present at the site.

A visit to the area on Sunday found a large section of land beside the beach entrance enclosed with metal sheets and bamboo. However, most local traders and people familiar with the area were reluctant to speak publicly about who had erected the fencing.

There are local allegations that the enclosed land forms part of a cancelled plot previously associated with S Alam Group. Some also alleged that several leaders of the ruling party were linked to the reported attempt to occupy the land. These claims could not be independently verified.

Several small traders and hawkers said more than 200 temporary shops had been operating on the land before the fencing was erected. When workers attempted to remove the shops and enclose the area late Friday night, arguments reportedly broke out between them and some of the hawkers.

Several traders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the fencing was erected hurriedly under cover of darkness and that a large section of the area was enclosed with corrugated sheets and bamboo within about an hour.

The matter became public on Saturday afternoon, triggering tension at the site. At one point, agitated hawkers carrying sticks damaged a section of the metal fencing measuring around 100 feet in length.

No local resident was willing to publicly identify those allegedly involved in the fencing or say who might be behind the reported attempt to occupy the land.

The incident has also triggered discussion and criticism on social media. Local Jubo Dal leader Azizul Haque Sohel questioned in a Facebook post whether government land at Sugandha Point was once again being handed over to encroachers. He also called for legal action against anyone attempting to occupy public land using the names of political leaders.

H.M. Nazrul Islam, member secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Citizens’ Movement, alleged that the encroachment took place under the administration’s watch.

He criticised what he described as the administration’s unclear response and said repeated attempts to occupy land around the beach were damaging the environment and tourism interests.

Executive Magistrate Tanvir Hossain Sayem of the district administration’s Tourism Cell said one person allegedly involved in the illegal occupation had already been identified.

He said anyone claiming ownership or a valid lease over the land had been asked to submit relevant documents to the Deputy Commissioner or Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue).

“No one has been authorised by the administration to occupy or fence off government land,” he said.

Tanvir Hossain Sayem further said those involved had been given until 7pm on Saturday to remove the illegal structures and fencing. Failure to comply would result in legal action, he added.

However, despite the administration’s directive, no visible eviction operation had begun at the site by Sunday afternoon, according to local sources.

The incident has raised concern among local traders and hawkers, particularly over the overnight removal of hundreds of temporary shops and the fencing of a large area of government land. Questions remain over who is behind the alleged occupation attempt and whether it has any political connections.

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