Editorial
Deaths in Bandarban mudslide
Repeating the old, sad story
AN old story has been repeated. A mudslide in Bandarban has led to the deaths of ten individuals and the destruction of as many as fifty homes. The tragedy occurred in Harinmara, Lama, the other day as a result of incessant rain over a period of four days. Such mishaps are quite common affairs in the rainy season, but need not be. And yet there is cause for concern. The concern stems from the fact that few or no lessons have been learnt from disasters of this kind in the past. Despite all the editorial comments in the newspapers after every such tragedy about the need to undertake safety measures for people as well as preventing the hills in the area from being encroached upon, little action is taken barring an expression of the usual platitudes about corrective steps.
Around Cox's Bazar, hills are yet being razed in order for dwellings to be built. That only lengthens the danger people are exposed to in the sense that a destruction of the hills also means a clear ravaging of woodland which secures the areas. Obviously, the houses that are constructed are directly in the line of disaster as a simple mudslide can destroy them in a matter of moments. Such has been the case in the past; and it has happened once again. The question now, therefore, is whether the authorities are prepared to tackle the issue head on with the seriousness it deserves. There is too the feeling among many that those responsible for levelling the hills are doing it surreptitiously and are allegedly in collusion with dishonest elements in the administration. That is not only untenable but unacceptable as well. Such criminality must be weeded out in the greater public interest.
The chief of the Cox's Bazar Poribesh Bachao Andolon has alleged that the local administration has taken no action against those behind the destruction of the hills despite the complaints which have been lodged. That is a serious charge which throws up the image of an inept and ineffectual administration. It demonstrates the sheer inability of the authorities to keep track of things and so take preventive measures against a recurrence of such tragedy. An official of the department of environment has of course promised legal action against the guilty. The question we ask is simple: why is it that such vows are made once nature has already been put through the grinder? And why then is nothing more heard of the matter?
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