Hatiya (Noakhali) Correspondent 

"The ghats must be kept free from encroachment, so that the people's wealth does not become the personal property of any political leader," said Shipping Advisor Brigadier (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain.

He said, "Many leaders of our country's political parties have occupied the ghat as if it were their own property. This cannot be allowed to continue. All of you will work together to prevent the occupation of the ghat."

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized after visiting Nalchira Ghat in Hatia Upazila of Noakhali on Tuesday afternoon.

The naval advisor said, "Earlier, we could not come here, nor could we work. Local influential people had occupied the ghat. As a result, the process of declaring the river port has been delayed. Now the interim government is undertaking a new development plan. Therefore, the people must take responsibility for ensuring that the ghat remains free from encroachment."

He further said, "The decision to launch a ferry service on the Hatiya Nalchira-Chairman Ghat route has already been taken. I want to be able to inaugurate the ferry service on this route during my tenure. The launch of the ferry will make communication between Hatiya and the mainland easier, which will play an important role in the economic development of the islanders."

Present at the meeting were BIWTC Chairman Mohammad Salimullah, BIWTA Chairman Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa, Hatia Island Association President Professor Dr. Zahedul Alam, General Secretary Anwar Hossain Jaton, local public representatives, teachers, political leaders and dignitaries.