Human chain, protest rally demanding re-excavation of Noakhali Canal, its  branches

Noakhali Correspondent

Locals held a human chain and protest rally demanding the re-excavation of the Noakhali canal and its various branches, as well as the removal of illegal encroachments to save the upazila residents from waterlogging in Kabirhat. 

The programme was organised on Wednesday at 11am at the Zero Point area of Kabirhat Bazar by Kabirhat upazila BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and other affiliated organisations. After the hour-long human chain, people from all walks of life who participated in the programme joined a protest rally to voice their demands.

The event was presided over by upazila BNP convenor Kamrul Huda Chowdhury Liton. Among others, former acting president of the upazila BNP Nazmul Huda Farhad, joint convenor Arafat Rahman Hasan, municipal BNP convenor Mostafizur Rahman Monju, member secretary Belayet Hossain Khokon, upazila Jubo Dal convenor Shahadat Hossain, member secretary Abdul Based Hiron, and Swechchhasebak Dal member secretary Nazim Uddin addressed the rally along with leaders and activists from different unions.

Speakers at the event said that last year during the monsoon, the people of Noakhali suffered immensely due to waterlogging, and this year the situation is expected to be the same if the canals are not re-excavated and freed from encroachment. They alleged that the mouth of Noakhali canal—where it connects with the Bamni River—has been occupied, and several hundred acres of land were turned into fish projects by ruling Awami League leaders and activists, which blocks water drainage.

They warned that if the interim government of Bangladesh, along with the district administration and concerned officials, fail to take timely action to free the canals from encroachment and carry out proper excavation before the monsoon, a more intense movement would be launched. Speakers also recalled that one person was killed in a clash between two groups during a protest over the same issue last year.

They further cautioned the upazila and district administrations, saying that if the canals are not re-excavated in due time, they would be forced to lay siege to administrative offices to realise their demands.