48-hour demonstration along Teesta river continues
BNP is currently holding a 48-hour programme in five districts of Rangpur division, demanding a fair share of the Teesta river water for Bangladesh from India.
The programme with a slogan "Jago Bahe, Teesta Bachai" (Wake Up, Save the Teesta), began yesterday and is set to conclude today.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to deliver the concluding speech around 4:00pm after joining the demonstration virtually, BNP's media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told The Daily Star.
In addition to Tarique's virtual participation, four members of BNP's standing committee, including two vice-chairmen, and one member of the chairperson's advisory council, are expected to be present at various points of the programme.
The rally has drawn significant attention to the long-standing issue of Teesta water sharing, a critical concern for the northern regions of Bangladesh, according to party leaders.
The simultaneous events at 11 locations in five districts -- Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram -- have highlighted the urgency of resolving the Teesta water-sharing issue, which has remained unresolved for decades.
Yesterday, BNP leaders urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the Teesta water issue.
At the launch of Teesta River Protection Movement Committee's two-day programme in Lalmonirhat, BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said India must stop border killings and abandon its "big brother" attitude.
Asadul Habib Dulu, chief coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and an organising secretary of the BNP, is leading the movement in Lalmonirhat.
Around noon today, a group of protesters marched on the river shoal in the middle of the Teesta Railway Bridge and the Teesta Road Bridge in Sadar upazila and Kaunia upazila of Rangpur.
Shamsul Alam, 55, a farmer from Char Gokunda area in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, told The Daily Star that they have joined the programme on Teesta shoal yesterday morning. He slept the night in a tent on the shoal.
Carrying banners, posters, and placards bearing the slogan "Jago Bahe, Teesta Bachai", the participants also demanded implementation of Teesta Master Plan.
Traditional songs, dances, and sports events were organised there.
Our Correspondents from Rangpur and Lalmonirhat contributed to this report
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