The rivers and canals of Bangladesh are being made to die. Bangladesh is a country of water, where land and water are entwined and ever shifting.

The High Court yesterday ordered the government to immediately stop encroachment and construction of structures on the bank of Shitalakkhya river and the canals connected to the river in Narayanganj.

The reckless manner with which canals have been grabbed and filled up in the capital city can be likened to choking the blood in arteries of a human being.