Rajshaji rally wants reparation from India for river diversion

GreenWatch Desk

A mass rally and cultural programe marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Farakka Long March of May 16, 1976 of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani; in Rajshahi City on Saturday urged the government to sign the International Water Courses Convention of 1997 before renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.

The programme organised by the 50th Anniversary of the Historic Farakka Long March Observance Committee at Barakuthi in Rajshahi  City on Saturday also demanded the formation of a regional river commission with the participation of China, Nepal, Bhutan,  India and Bangladesh under the supervision of the UN for fair sharing of the river basins of the region to improve the lot of the poor, women and children. 

The rally urged the government to assess the economic and environmental damages caused to Bangladesh due to diversion of water of the Ganges, The Teesta and 52 other common rivers and demand compensation from India.

In a written set of demands and recommendations the rally said India should give up its 'water aggresstion' and then a regional forum comprising India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Bhutan should be formed in the interest of fair sharing of International river water.

The rally suggested the construction of water reservoirs in Nepal to augment the flow of the Ganges in the dry season. This will be a win-win situation for all and Nepal will benefit from generation of e tra electricity.

It said Bangladesh should include in its agenda for talks on the Ganges and the Teesta, all other common rivers because water has now emerged as a question of national security.

Advocate Enamul Huq, President, Nokia O Paribesh Banchao Andolan, the rally was addressed by Prof Rafiqul Islam, former Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University, Kushtia, Prof Nazrul Islam Mandal MP, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, President, Ìnternational Farakka Committee Bangladesh, Azad Khan Bhasani, member-secretary, Bhasani Parishad among others.