# Magistrate Buys Plastic Goods Instead of Seizing Them from Disabled Tea Seller on St. Martin’s

> Abdul Hossain, an elderly disabled tea seller on St Martin’s, faced action during an anti-plastic drive for using plastic cups. Instead of fining him, Executive Magistrate Nafis Intesar Nafi bought the seized cups himse…

Published: 2026-01-20 · Desk: Latest · Source: Ekattor TV

A small placard hangs from his neck. It reads: “I am a person with disabilities. Please support me by buying tea.”
With a kettle in hand and slow steps, Abdul Hossain sells tea every day by walking along the beach of St Martin’s, carrying the weight of age and physical disability. Amid poverty, hardship, and an unending struggle, he continues to earn his livelihood this way.

In the bustle of tourists, he stands out. Some look at him with sympathy, some with indifference, while others call him over simply for a cup of tea. The income from selling tea sustains his family. Age has caught up with him, and his body no longer responds as it once did, yet stopping is not an option. If he stops, even the bare minimum of life’s struggle will come to a halt.

On Monday (January 19), the district administration was conducting a mobile court drive on St Martin’s as part of an environmental protection campaign. During the operation, Executive Magistrate Nafis Intesar Nafi noticed that the disabled tea seller was using plastic cups to serve tea.

Under the law, this is a punishable offence, as the use of plastic is prohibited to protect the environment. As part of the drive, the plastic cups he was using were seized. Fear immediately appeared on Abdul Hossain’s face. A fine would mean losing even this modest income—an anxiety that seemed to overwhelm him. But this is where the story took a different turn. Considering the humanitarian aspect, instead of fining him, the executive magistrate personally bought the seized cups and advised him to use glass cups instead of plastic.

Nafis Intesar Nafi said, “Protecting the beauty and environment of St Martin’s is our responsibility. But while doing so, we must also ensure that no one’s livelihood is unnecessarily harmed.”
He added, “An elderly, disabled man is working out of necessity. So, on humanitarian grounds, we chose awareness over punishment.”

The decision instantly changed Abdul Hossain’s state of mind. His voice then carried the story of a lifetime of struggle.

“I walk along the beach selling tea. I am old, and my health is not good anymore. Still, I have to do this for my family. A cup of tea costs 10 taka. How much can I really earn in a day? But when tourists come, whatever I earn, I save a little to survive for about ten months,” he said.

Although his elder son, Abu Bakkar, is capable of earning, he struggles to manage his own household. As a result, much of the responsibility of running the family still rests on Abdul Hossain’s shoulders. His age is increasing, his strength is fading, but his responsibilities have not lessened.

According to local sources, although the government reopened St Martin’s to tourists on November 1, the absence of overnight stays that month meant tourist numbers remained low. From December 1, ferry services on the Cox’s Bazar–St Martin’s route resumed and will continue until January 31. However, despite the increase in tourists, prosperity has not returned to the lives of the island’s residents as before.

St Martin’s Union Parishad Acting Chairman Foyezul Islam said that tourist numbers were low at the start of the season and have increased slightly, but remain limited. With reduced income, many residents have left the area. Where earnings were once good, they are now less than half of what they used to be.

Meanwhile, the administration has stated that strict monitoring will continue throughout the season. Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan said, “All activities on St Martin’s are being monitored daily. If any irregularities or violations are found, immediate action is being taken.”

Netizens believe that this environmental drive on St Martin’s conveyed not only the enforcement of the law, but also a quiet message of humanity. Abdul Hossain’s 10-taka cup of tea and a magistrate’s responsible decision served as a reminder that while the law may be strict, it truly stands by people only when it is humane.

Original reporting: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1544425300187654
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