'Long march' in Gaibandha against India's river-linking plan

Several hundred party activists, joined by people, will march up to Gaibandha, covering about 60 kiometres in three days, to create public opinion against the Indian plan that will create an ecological disaster in Bangladesh.

Speakers at a rally held at Sundrganaj upazila council ground prior to the march, speakers said India plans to withdraw waters from the Brahmaputra and the Jamuna by its river inter-linking project.

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Presided over by local BSD leader Biren Chandra Shil, the rally was addressed by, among others, Gaiabandha BSD Convener Ashsanul Habib Sayed, Suvrangshu Chakkravarti, Convener of Samajtantrik Khet Majur and Krishak Front and Jahidul Huq Milu.

They said if India implements its plan, Bangladesh will face water crisis in winter and severe flooding in rainy season. This will seriously affect agriculture, fishery and environment.

They pointed out that during rainy season, seven per cent of water in rivers is from rain, 51 per cent flow through the Brahmaputra, 28 per cent through the Gangage and remaining 14 per cent through the Meghna basin rivers.

During dry season, Bangladesh gets only 10 per cent of its water from rainfall and the remaining 90 percent through the rivers. It the river inter-linking project is implemented, the 90 per cent of water flow will be diverted and withdrawn, they said.

The marchers will cross Chandipur in Sunderganj and Gideri in Gaibandha Sadar upazila and reach Gaibandha Central Shaheed Minar on Wednesday. It will conclude with a rally there.