A dam built across Baro Kathalia canal in Kathalia upazila under the district about eight years ago remains a nuisance for locals, especially farmers and fishermen.

Locals alleged that a few local influential people with the help of upazila Chairman Kibria Shikder and his brother Sadar union parishad Chairman Kabir Shikder built the dam to get allotment under the government's test relief programme and monopolise fishing there. 

"The dam in the canal affects agriculture. Earlier engine boats plied the canal but it has lost navigability after creation of the dam. Four years ago, we filed a case and cut the dam but the powerful men rebuilt it,” said Abdul Ali, a farmer of the area. 

People from the both sides of the canal are grabbing the canal land after erection of the dam, said Tuhin, a college student of the area.

“I want to sell some wood trees to bear my child's education cost but buyers offered me low price, claiming that they have to pay for carrying logs over the dam,” said Shamim, a local.

“Before construction of the dam we caught fish in the canal, but now, only men of  chairman Kibria Shikder catch fish there. They do not allow others," said a local fisherman seeking anonymity.  

Several farmers said they suffer from flooding every rainy season as water cannot flow smoothly due to the dam.

“This dam affects agriculture in the area as floodwater that brings fertility to the land cannot reach the land and waterlogging occurs in the rainy season,” said Abdullah Al Mamun, agriculture officer of Kathalia.

“Fishes cannot move freely and breed well due to the dam in the canal,” said Md Abul Kalam Azad, upazila fisheries officer.

“Making a dam across a canal to stop the water flow is illegal. I have already discussed the issue with local leaders and officials in a meeting and the dam will be removed very soon,” said Sharif Muhammad Faizul Alam, upazila nirbahi officer of Kathalia.

“The musclemen are maintaining the dam for their personal interest and none dare to protest the matter although thousands of people are suffering for it,” said an union parishad chairman of the upazila, wishing anonymity.   

Kibria Shikder, upazila chairman of Kathalia, said, “I supported building the dam for public interest. My brother Kabir along with some local people may go to catch fish in the canal. I will break the dam very soon.”