The only road and bridge connecting Baliaghat Notun Bazar to Tahirpur Sadar and Boro Badaghat Bazar in Tahirpur Upazila of Sunamganj have become entirely impassable due to lack of repair. Residents of 20 villages in the upazila are compelled to risk their lives crossing the dilapidated road and bridge that remained unrepaired since the last year’s flood. The bridge situated in front of Khalshajuri Primary School along the road connecting Baliaghat New Market to Kaukandi Bazar and Badaghat Bazar has completely collapsed. EC asks to withdraw Mymensingh DC, Sunamganj DC to be transferred The lack of renovation of the road and bridge has forced local residents, including school and madrasa students, to cross the broken bridge, putting them at constant risk of accidents, said local people. Motorcycle and autorickshaw drivers carrying passengers are particularly vulnerable to accidents on the damaged bridge. Locals said during the last flood, the waves of Haor waterflow caused extensive damage to both sides of the road. Residents of the area have voiced their frustration over the prolonged inaction regarding the repair of the bridge and road. They have collectively demanded that the government take immediate action to rebuild the broken bridge and road to make those suitable for use. Cops, journalists among 10 injured during BNP-police clash in Sunamganj Local resident Nurul Amin said that the bridge and road sustained significant damage during the last flood, but no repairs have been undertaken since then. "Last year, some soil was provided under the Haor Protection Dam construction. However, when the monsoon rains brought in floods, the bridge and  the road collapsed. Subsequently, locals resorted to using bamboo sticks to makeshift repairs, allowing for some form of movement,” he said. Despite these efforts, autorickshaw and motorcycle drivers carrying passengers frequently encounter accidents on this unstable bridge. Some students expressed their dismay over the poor condition of the road and bridge. Motorcyclist Gafur Mia expressed his frustration saying, "We depend on motorcycles for our livelihood. We don't want to ride on broken roads. But we are forced to drive. Accidents occur here every few days while driving on broken the road and the bridge." Another resident Abul Kalam said, "Even though the road and bridge were badly damaged in the last flood, the local union parishad or LGED have not taken any steps so far." BGMEA delegation visits LafargeHolcim's Geocycle Project in Sunamganj Safiqul Islam, a ward member, said, "The road and the bridge were destroyed by the waves of Matian Haor during the monsoon. Now these totally unfit for movement. " Sripur (North) Union Parish Chairman Ali Haider said, "This road and the bridge have been included to Haor Protection Dam construction work. The work will start in coming Chaitra month.”

Farmers in the Tahirpur haor area of Sunamganj fear they may be deprived of their Boro harvest this year, with the possibility of further flash floods in the days ahead on the back of heavy rainfall in the northern and eastern part of India. Boro paddy of Tahirpur upazila has just started ripening. Normally, farmers of the haor areas would go for harvest within 7-10 days. But another flash flood between now and then could damage the crop entirely.  According to the forecast of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, water level at some points of Surma, Kushiara, and Jadukata rivers may cross the danger level due to incessant downpours in the hilly areas of India including Assam and Meghalaya from April 10 to 17.      In the last week, around 7000 hectares of Boro lands of Tanguar haor, Eraliakona, and Gunnakuri haor under Tahirpur upazila became inundated due to an onrush of water downstream breaking past the protection embankment. Local farmers of these areas are now guarding the remaining embankments in phases as these are very weak and ill-constructed. Also read: Thakurgaon farmers fear crops loss after hailstorm The Water Development Board has repaired the 53-kilometre long submersible crop protection embankment and 10 closures through 68 Project Implementation Committees (PICs). The cost to implement the project was Tk 12 crore 83 lakh. However, the embankment and the closures are not perfectly repaired and repair work remains incomplete. The local administration along with the farmers are working to repair the cracks on the embankment.    

Waving brooms thousands of sandstone workers on Friday held a protest in Tahirpur upazila against what they said a conspiracy to close a sand and stone quarry in the trans-boundary Jadukata river. They chanted slogans against Karuna Sindhu Chowdhury, the chairman of Tahirpur Upazila Parishad of Sunamganj blaming him for the move. Several thousand workers from Tahirpur and Bishwambharpur upazilas including Maharam, Laudergarh, Shahidabad, Bariktila, Baragoptila, Mudergaon, Suhala, Miarchar marched through the streets from Tahirpur Naukaghat area. Later, they held a protest rally and formed a human chain at Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium in Tahirpur.      

Sifat Ali took up arms and fought gallantly in the Liberation War in 1971, but his battle is far from over as he continues to fight for recognition as a freedom fighter.   The 65-year-old from Sunamganj’s Tahirpur upazila took part in the Liberation War from Sector Five and received a certificate from General Osmani shortly after independence.   His world turned upside down when his name was dropped from the list of freedom fighters and his allowance was stopped.   Sifat, who has difficulty in walking, has since been going from one government office to another hoping to regain his lost freedom fighter status and dignity.   “I fought for the country responding to the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. My brothers in arms have been recognised as freedom fighters but I’ve been left out. It’s really upsetting,” he told UNB.   He said he had gone to Dhaka with former Tahirpur upazila Muktijoddha Commander Mojahid Uddin and applied for inclusion in gazette in 2014. But there has been no progress.   “I got recognition after independence. But I was stripped off my status and allowance when my name was dropped from the list recently,” he said.   His son Emran Hossain said his father’s last wish is to die as a recognised freedom fighter.   Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bijen Bannerjee said he was willing to recommend Sifat Ali after scrutinising his papers. “The ministry will make the final call,” he added.   Muktijoddha Commander Mojahid said that there was no doubt that Sifat Ali is a freedom fighter.   “Everyone knows that he fought in the Liberation War. I hope that he gets his due honour and recognition as a freedom fighter during his lifetime,” he said.