Sachchida Nanda Dey Saday, Ashashuni (Satkhira)

The Hamiyuchchunnah Qawmi and Hafezia Madrasa and the adjacent Char Jame Mosque in Tetulia village of Kadakati Union, Ashashuni upazila, have come under the threat of severe river erosion. On Wednesday afternoon, UNO  Krishna Roy visited the erosion-affected area.

Established in 2003, the renowned madrasa and mosque were built on reclaimed land along the Morichchapa River. Locals allege that during a river dredging project, work was carried out through erosion-prone areas instead of the reclaimed section, causing fresh erosion to start within a year. Visible erosion began about a month ago, and in the past week, 20–25 cubits of the embankment have been swallowed by the river.

Residents, through voluntary labor, collected over a hundred bamboo poles and carried out piling work. However, by Wednesday noon, the piles had also collapsed into the river. The mosque’s wall is now perilously close to the water, the imam’s residence is at risk, and the madrasa is in grave danger. Locals fear that without immediate action, the mosque, madrasa, and many nearby houses will be lost to the river.

The visit was organized by former BNP convenor of Kadakati Union, Zahir Uddin, and invited by former BNP member secretary of Ashashuni upazila, Zakir Hossain Babu. After inspecting the site, the UNO expressed concern over the severity of the erosion and assured that she would speak to higher authorities to take swift action.

Present during the visit were Chhatra Dal’s Atik, BNP leaders Tarikul Khan, Badrul Alam, Ekramul Master, Azgar, Ainur Gazi, Rafiqul Sardar, Raju Gazi, Boro Khokon, Moslem, Manik, Khairul, Al Mamun Moral, Borhan Uddin Babu, Saidul Sardar, Alep Sardar, Faruk, Karim Sana, Ali Hossain, Salam Gazi, Litu Sardar, mosque imam Hossain Ahmed, madrasa head teacher Mizanur Rahman, president Lutfor Rahman, secretary Nazrul Islam, and many others.

Former BNP convenor Zahir Uddin said, “We have always stood by the people to resist river erosion. Through the UNO, we will seek the district administration’s support to ensure rapid intervention.”