Shrimp culture in Satkhira protested

People from Bardal union held a rally in front of the collectorate office in Satkhira town yesterday protesting shrimp cultivation in cultivable land. PHOTO: STAR

The villagers had earlier gathered at Shahid Abdur Razzak Park, wherefrom they brought out the procession.

With Bardal Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Yunus Ali Sama in the chair, the rally was addressed by, among others, former lawmaker Dr Mokhlesur Rahman, Advocate Mustafa Lutfullah and UP members Suranjan Dhali, Chandana Rani Mondal, Hafez Ruhul Amin, Afzal Hossain, Abdur Rahmanand and Abdur Razzak.

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They alleged that a local Awami League leader --ABM Mustakin--leased 300 bighas of land from local landowners to cultivate shrimp. But he is raising enclosures covering over 900 bighas of land by threatening some landowners.

They said shrimp cultivation in cultivable lands will affect the soil due to use of saline water and also damage the environment.

This will make the lands barren and ultimately affect all the farmers and their cattleheads. They vowed to resist the move anyhow.

They submitted a memorandum to the DC to stop the planned shrimp cultivation in cultivable lands and threatened of tougher agitation for non-compliance. They also submitted another memorandum to the Police Superintendent later.