Readers Respond
Here are some comments that came in response to Sunday's The Daily Star news report headlined “Disaster in the making”.
Tirtho Mahmud
It will be naive to believe that India does not see the future impact of this project on Bangladesh's environment and economy. They just overlooked our problems. Anonymous
Our government says that it is in regular touch with India regarding Tipaimukh project. When Bangladesh asks for something from India, India does not care, but when India asks for something, Bangladesh gives in to their demand immediately. Jumana Sarwar
The national interest should always remain paramount, and I am on behalf of the citizens of Bangladesh who are urging the Awami League leadership to rise above their party line and be prepared to talk with anybody including BNP leaders to unite against the Indian hegemony. Tajul Islam
Bangladesh should use transit as a bargaining tool to settle major issues with India including sharing of common river waters. The dam can affect the navigability of the river Meghna, which is the main river transit to India. Anonymous Expat
If Bangladesh faces any change in the environment due to the construction of Tipaimukh dam, the government must ask for compensation. Although India claims that it will not have any adverse effect on Bangladesh, still the experts doubt it. Dr Karim
All transhipment of Indian goods should be immediately stopped and all other treaties should be reviewed. We should discuss it in the UN immediately. Only strong nationalism can save this nation. Ashim Dhar
Bangladesh must postpone the transit deal with India until India keeps its promises about Tipaimukh, Teesta and many other issues. Friendship can not be one-sided. I was sceptical about the opposition party's arguments. Now I fully support its views. Anonymous
The whole world knows that the construction of Tipaimukh dam will damage the environment of Bangladesh. Our prime minister should protest the construction of the dam which will change the climate of Bangladesh, and ask for compensation from India. Mayen Uddin Tazim
The nation is shocked at the unilateral decision of the Indian government to build the controversial Tipaimukh dam on the Barak River in its north-eastern Manipur state. It will drastically reduce the water flow in our rivers affecting the entire agro-socio-economy of the greater Sylhet and Mymenshingh region. Bangladesh government should take immediate measures to save the nation from this death trap. Reaz Hassan
The Tipaimukh dam, if constructed, will adversely affect Bangladesh. It is totally unacceptable, unlawful and unethical to interrupt the flow of water of a major common river. It will not only disrupt the flow of rivers like Surma and Kushiyara but also Meghna. In other words, Sylhet division will face environmental and ecological disaster, possibly till now unknown to the people of that region. Since repeated assurances from the highest Indian authority are merely rhetorical, Bangladesh must take the issue to the appropriate international forum for negotiation. Meanwhile, as a retaliatory measure, we must stop the transit and transhipment facilities being offered to India with immediate effect.
It will be naive to believe that India does not see the future impact of this project on Bangladesh's environment and economy. They just overlooked our problems. Anonymous
Our government says that it is in regular touch with India regarding Tipaimukh project. When Bangladesh asks for something from India, India does not care, but when India asks for something, Bangladesh gives in to their demand immediately. Jumana Sarwar
The national interest should always remain paramount, and I am on behalf of the citizens of Bangladesh who are urging the Awami League leadership to rise above their party line and be prepared to talk with anybody including BNP leaders to unite against the Indian hegemony. Tajul Islam
Bangladesh should use transit as a bargaining tool to settle major issues with India including sharing of common river waters. The dam can affect the navigability of the river Meghna, which is the main river transit to India. Anonymous Expat
If Bangladesh faces any change in the environment due to the construction of Tipaimukh dam, the government must ask for compensation. Although India claims that it will not have any adverse effect on Bangladesh, still the experts doubt it. Dr Karim
All transhipment of Indian goods should be immediately stopped and all other treaties should be reviewed. We should discuss it in the UN immediately. Only strong nationalism can save this nation. Ashim Dhar
Bangladesh must postpone the transit deal with India until India keeps its promises about Tipaimukh, Teesta and many other issues. Friendship can not be one-sided. I was sceptical about the opposition party's arguments. Now I fully support its views. Anonymous
The whole world knows that the construction of Tipaimukh dam will damage the environment of Bangladesh. Our prime minister should protest the construction of the dam which will change the climate of Bangladesh, and ask for compensation from India. Mayen Uddin Tazim
The nation is shocked at the unilateral decision of the Indian government to build the controversial Tipaimukh dam on the Barak River in its north-eastern Manipur state. It will drastically reduce the water flow in our rivers affecting the entire agro-socio-economy of the greater Sylhet and Mymenshingh region. Bangladesh government should take immediate measures to save the nation from this death trap. Reaz Hassan
The Tipaimukh dam, if constructed, will adversely affect Bangladesh. It is totally unacceptable, unlawful and unethical to interrupt the flow of water of a major common river. It will not only disrupt the flow of rivers like Surma and Kushiyara but also Meghna. In other words, Sylhet division will face environmental and ecological disaster, possibly till now unknown to the people of that region. Since repeated assurances from the highest Indian authority are merely rhetorical, Bangladesh must take the issue to the appropriate international forum for negotiation. Meanwhile, as a retaliatory measure, we must stop the transit and transhipment facilities being offered to India with immediate effect.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments