A human chain and a rally were held demanding protection of the Paikdanga area of Paikerchhara Union in Bhurungamari Upazila of Kurigram from erosion by the Dudhkumar River.
The programme was organised on Saturday afternoon in the severely erosion-affected area on the banks of the Dudhkumar River. Around five hundred men and women, all victims of local river erosion, took part in the rally.
The rally was chaired by Rafiqul Islam, President of the Bhurungamari Upazila Char Development and Implementation Council. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, President of the Kurigram District Char Development and Implementation Council, attended as the chief guest.
Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu said that not only the Dudhkumar River, but around 36 points of 16 rivers in Kurigram district are experiencing severe erosion. Over the past 10 years, hundreds of thousands of people in the district have lost their homes and been forced to relocate.
However, he said, no government office has an accurate count of these displaced people, and even new victims of river erosion are not being properly tracked.
Citing examples from other countries, he said that in many nations, people affected by river erosion are immediately compensated and rehabilitated. In contrast, he said, victims in Bangladesh often do not receive even minimal government assistance or proper documentation, let alone compensation.
He further said that improving the living standards of char dwellers and ensuring their permanent rights is essential. Referring to the formation of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, he said a similar “Ministry of Char Affairs” is now urgently needed to improve the lives of millions living in the char areas.
District Char Development and Implementation Council General Secretary Journalist Ashraful Haque Rubel, Organising Secretary Abdul Akher, Office Secretary Humayun Kabir, Bhurungamari Upazila Committee General Secretary Ismail Hossain Yusuf, Vice President Yasin Ali, and Kachakata Thana Committee President Journalist Abdul Quddus Chanchal, among others, also spoke at the event.
The speakers urged the Water Development Board and relevant government authorities to immediately construct a permanent embankment to protect the Paikdanga area from erosion by the Dudhkumar River.