Kamrul Hasan : In the remote char areas of Daulatpur upazila of Manikganj, there has been severe erosion in the areas along the banks of the Jamuna River in Baghutia and Bachamara Unions. This erosion, which started untimely, has already threatened several schools, madrasas, markets, government establishments and homes. Hundreds of bighas of farmers` cultivated land have disappeared into the riverbed. In such a situation, Dr. Khandaker Akbar Hossain Bablu, the eldest son of the late BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and a member of the Manikganj District BNP Convening Committee, and the paddy sheaf leader of Manikganj-1 constituency, has demanded construction of embankments to prevent erosion.

He made this demand to the interim government while speaking as the chief guest at a human chain and protest rally on the banks of the river adjacent to Baghutia Bazar on Friday (August 22) afternoon, initiated by the locals of Bachamara and Baghutia, in the presence of party leaders, activists, supporters, general voters and locals.
Under the chairmanship of former Jubo Dal president Kamrul Hasan Bachchu and moderated by Krishak Dal leader Selim Mia, Shibaloy Upazila BNP Vice President Kazi Abdur Razzak, former joint convener of the district Jubo Dal Mohidur Rahman, Daulatpur Upazila BNP Joint Secretary Aminur Rahman Master, Upazila Krishak Dal Organizing Secretary Sergeant Shahin, Khalsi Union BNP President Dr. Abdul Mannan, former general secretary of Bachamara Union BNP Yahia Mollah, former joint convener of Upazila Jubo Dal Rahim Sheikh, joint secretary of Upazila Sramik Dal Touhidul Islam Liton, senior vice-president of Shibaloy Upazila Matsyajibi Dal Nirmal Rajbangshi, Khalsi Union BNP leader Shafiqul Islam Shafiq and leading figures of BNP and all allied organizations were present.
He said, “Innumerable people of Baghutia and Bachamara have become destitute due to the continuous erosion of the Jamuna. From schools, madrasas, markets to farmers’ croplands, they are disappearing into the riverbed. However, the concerned authorities are not taking any effective action. Sand piracy has not stopped even after the fall of the Awami League government. It is sad but true, some dishonest people from our party are also involved in this work. I am calling on the BNP high command to take urgent action against them.”

He strongly criticized the role of the administration and said, “Despite repeated calls to take action against sand terrorists, the administration is mysteriously inactive. Illegal sand mining is going on day and night with cutting machines and hundreds of ball gates. If sand mining is not stopped this time, we will become an obstacle to preventing erosion along with the common people.”

Demanding immediate effective action, Dr. Akbar Hossain Bablu said, “The need of the hour is to lay geo-bags in erosion-prone areas and build permanent embankments for long-term protection. Otherwise, countless more educational institutions, markets and homes will be lost in the Yamuna.”

In this situation, he strongly demanded the concerned authorities and the interim government to take necessary measures on an urgent basis to resolve the situation.