Human chain protesting filling of canal in Sreenagar
Sreenagar (Munshiganj) Correspondent
A human chain and protest rally were held in Sreenagar upazila in protest of the filling of a flowing canal on Saturday at around 10 AM.
The residents of the area organized the human chain on the road adjacent to Birtara Bazaar.
Present at the event were Birtara Union BNP President Swadhin Molla, Senior Vice-President Nazrul Islam Nadim, General Secretary Israfil Sheikh, local UP member Jahangir Sheikh, former UP member Mokhles Khan, Upazila Jubo Dal Joint Conveners Shahidul Islam and Abdul Kader, Monir Sheikh, Azmir Sheikh, Minar Hossain, and members of farming families from the area.
The affected residents alleged that a local influential person named Matin Khan filled the water flow area with sand near the bridge on the western side of Birtara Bazaar. As a result, the water flow of four canals in the area was blocked, endangering hundreds of acres of agricultural land.
Earlier, the local administration had conducted a mobile court and instructed to keep the water flow path clear. However, Matin Khan ignored the order and began constructing permanent structures at night on the filled land. Now, due to the obstruction of water flow, prolonged waterlogging has occurred. As a result, farmers are facing difficulties cultivating potatoes, mustard, and other winter crops during the agricultural season.
The protesters urged the concerned authorities to take action and remove the soil from this vital water flow area. After the human chain, locals also carried out a protest march.
UP member Jahangir Sheikh stated that the filling of land beside the bridge in Birtara Bazaar has blocked the water flow. On the other hand, the bridge currently under construction about 400 feet north of Matin Khan’s house, built at a cost of millions of government taka, will be of no use to the public.
Attempts were made to contact Matin Khan by phone, but he did not receive the calls. However, Matin Khan's cousin Shamim Khan said, "I have told him about this matter multiple times, but he doesn’t listen to anyone."
