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  Demonstrators demand new upazila and permanent dam to prevent erosion

Staff Reporter:

Hundreds of people on Friday formed a human chain at Chargirish Noukaghat (boatghat) area under Chargirish union in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj district demanding resistance of illegal sand lifting from the upstream of the Jamuna river and permanent dam to protect themselves and their assets from the onslaught of the river erosion.

The demonstrators participated in the human chain from different remote villages under six unions in the upazila also urged the government to establish a new upazila named ‘Jamuna’ so that they get all services timely and easily.

Monir Mian, an erosion affected villager said, “I have shifted my homestead two times in the last month due to onslaught of erosion. I am now penniless and have no affordability to shift my homestead again if it is necessary.”

Abdul Quader, former Chairman of Natuarpara union said, “Illegal sand traders in collaboration with upazila administration’s officials have been engaged in sand lifting by dredgers from the upstream of the river for long. Consequently, the course of the river is being changed and erosion at different places takes serious turn. About 200 houses, hats-baza’ars, mosques and croplands in the areas have already been devoured by the river Jamuna in the last month. But, no NGO or the government lends us helping hands so far.”

Farukh Ahmed-BSC, General Secretary of Bangladesh Communist Party (CPB) said, “The government has spent crores of Taka to construct dam on the western side of the Jamuna river. But no step to construct protection dam on the eastern side of the Jamuna river has taken so far. Therefore, hundreds of people along with their homesteads are facing erosion threat. We demand relief from this tension.”

Naima Zahan Sumaiya, UNO of Kazipur said, “I have taken charge of the upazila just two days ago. So, I don’t have any idea about it. However, I shall take necessary steps after inquiries. Besides, action would be taken against the illegal sand lifters. None will be spared, if they are caused of damages in the area or any installation.”

Declining the allegation of sand lifting from the upstream of the river, Mokhlesur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the WDB in Sirajganj said, “I basically have to take preventive measures, if someone lifts sand from such a place in which any important installation may be affected or damaged. Otherwise, district and upazila administration are responsible for handling such matter.”