Sirajganj erosion victims demand dam protection

Erosion in winter... A family dismantling a house at Shoilabari village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila to shift to a safer place.. PHOTO: STAR

The processionists paraded in the main streets of the town before holding the rally. The rally was presided over by Mokhlesur Rahman, former member of Khokshabari Union Parishad.

Among others, Anowar Hossain, Rezaul Karim Rokani. Anower Ali, Hayder Ali, Abdul Mazid. Nabokumar Karmoker addressed the rally.

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Speakers at the rally demanded immediate constriction of a groin to change the course of the river.

Unless the erosion is checked, the erosion will ultimately affect Siranganj town, they said.

Earlier, the demonstrators submitted a memorandum to Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Aminul Bar Chowdhury to take necessary steps. They agitated demonstrators also damaged a bus parked near the DC office compound.

They claimed that at least 2000 homesteads and four primary schools were devoured in the area by the river in last two months. They held demonstrations earlier and repeatedly appealed to Water Development Board (WDB) officials in Sirajganj to take steps to stop the srision, but to no effect.

When contacted, WDB officials a dam project has been approved and the process to start the work will begin soon.