Urging neighbouring India to ensure 10,000 cusecs of water to Bangladesh from the Teesta River to maintain good relations between the two countries, BNP on Wednesday concluded its two-day long march to Teesta Barrage at Dalia point.
Addressing a concluding rally, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also urged the small nations of this subcontinent that are affected by the big neighbours due to their various aggressions, particularly over sharing the waters of the common rivers, to remain united to protect the environment and the nature and their own interests.
Announcing conclusion of the programme after the rally at Hatibandha Helipad adjacent to the barrage around 2:30pm, a Fakhrul claimed that their programme has been successful with the spontaneous participation of people.Earlier, the long-march convoy had resumed its second and final day journey towards the Barrage from Rangpur after an overnight stay there. It reached the Dalia point around 11:45am.BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led several thousands BNP leaders and activists in the long march.
Before resuming its march towards Nilphamari from Rangpur city, the party also held a wayside rally in front of Rangpur Public Library.
Earlier, starting from Uttara in the city, the long march, led by BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, entered Rangpur city around 7:20pm on Tuesday and stayed overnight here.
On their way to the Teesta Barrage, BNP leaders held their first wayside rally in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir, the second rally on the Tangail Bypass Road, the third one at Sirajganj’s Kaddar intersection, the fourth one at Bogra’s Matidhali crossing, the fifth one at Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj and the sixth and final one in Gaibandha’s Polashbari.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, vice-chairmen Abdullah Al Noman, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, Hafizuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, party chairperson’s advisers Dr Osman Farroque, Abdul Mannan, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Ahmed Azam Khan, international affairs secretary Asaduzaman Ripon, education affairs secretary Khairul Kabir Khokon, students affairs secretary Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anne and Jubo Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, among others, joined the long march
Earlier, terming the current government “illegal and unelected”, BNP on Wednesday alleged that the regime has even failed to place the demand to India for realising the rightful share of Teesta River water.
“The fair share of Teesta water is our rights by birth and this right is internationally recognised. But the current illegal and unelected regime has even failed to place the demand to India to get the due share of Teesta water,” said BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Fakhrul was addressing a brief rally in front of Rangpur Public Library prior to restarting its journey towards Dalai point near the Teesta Barrage in Nilphamari.
The BNP spokesman also slammed the government for its failure to sign a deal with India to this end.
“It’s unfortunate that India is not allowing us to enjoy our due share of water of the common rivers, including Teesta. We want to equivocally sate that we won’t bow down our head to any hegemonic country. We’ll never retreat from our demand to have the due share of water,” he said.
The BNP leader underscored the need for forging a national unity to force India to concede to Bangladesh’s demand.
Mentioning that they have launched their long march following the direction of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul said the aim of their movement is to mount pressure on India to allow Bangladesh to have its due share of waters of the common rivers.
“Our long march is not a political programme. It’s neither against India, its people nor against Bangladesh government. We’re on a movement for protecting the national interests and establishing our justified rights. It’s also a programme to save the lives and livelihoods of the country’s 16 crore people,” he added.
After the rally, the long-march convoy, which stayed overnight here, resumed its second and final day journey towards the Barrage. It reached the Dalia point of the barrage around 11:45am.
The long march concluded after another rally at Hatibandha Helipad adjacent to the barrage. – UNB
