Admitting Rajuk's failure in protecting the wetlands, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain yesterday said grabbing and filling up of water bodies continued despite various efforts to protect those.

Addressing as the chief guest a memorial meeting on late journalist Omar Faruk at Jatiya Press Club, Mosharraf said malpractices were going on though there are laws to protect the wetlands.

He urged journalists to frequently write on land grabbing and filling up of wetlands as it might help check the crimes.

Nagar Unnayan Sangbadik Forum Bangladesh arranged the programme to hand over a cheque for Tk 3 lakh to Faruk's wife.

Amitosh Pal, president of the forum, presided over the meeting, moderated by its general secretary Abdul Matin.