UNB:

A protest march involving thousands of people rocked the riverbanks in Lalmonirhat on Tuesday, demanding a fair share of Teesta River water and the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

As part of a 48-hour sit-in organized by the Teesta River Protection Movement, the march began at the Lalmonirhat railway bridge at noon.

The protesters, led by Asadul Habib Dulu—chief coordinator of the movement, BNP’s central executive committee organizing secretary, and former deputy minister—walked through Kaunia upazila in Rangpur before returning to the bridge. They chanted various slogans, including “Jago Bahey, Teesta Bachai.”

The river, known for its turbulent flow during the monsoon due to upstream water surges, becomes a barren desert-like stretch in the dry season, leaving thousands of hectares of land uncultivated along its banks.

Protesters accused India of unilateral water usage through the Gajoldoba Barrage upstream, releasing excessive water during the monsoon, which floods Bangladesh’s Rangpur region, and withholding it during the dry season, transforming the riverbed into a desert.

Various social and political organizations have long demanded a fair share of Teesta’s waters.

The previous Awami League government announced the Teesta Master Plan to address the issue, but its implementation has been stalled due to what protesters described as a “submissive policy” towards India.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the 48-hour sit-in protest on Monday.

The first day featured cultural events showcasing Rangpur’s heritage and a documentary on the plight of Teesta riverbank residents, as thousands camped overnight in tents.

On the second day, the protest march continued along the 121km stretch of the Teesta River, culminating in a mass display of placards demanding river protection.

In the evening, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the protesters virtually at 11 designated points along the riverbanks.

Chief coordinator of the movement, Dulu, reaffirmed that the protest will continue until their demand for a fair share of Teesta waters and the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan is met.