The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) yesterday called for a movement to press India to allow Bangladesh its fair share of water from Teesta River.
They alleged that Bangladesh was not getting the fair share of waters of the common rivers, including Teesta, because of submissive policies of the successive governments in Dhaka.
Leaders of the CPB and the BSD also called upon the government to settle the water dispute with India at bilateral, multilateral and international forums, including the UN.
They were addressing a rally at Sadhur Bazar adjacent to Teesta Barrage in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat district.
Reading out the “Teesta Declaration” at the rally, CPB General Secretary Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed said the dispute with India over the water issue would not be resolved if the current subservient foreign policy remained in place.
Referring to the failures of the successive governments in resolving the water issue with neighbouring country, he alleged that the past governments have protected the interest of India.
He stressed the need for adopting coordinated plans for proper water distribution of 57 international rivers flowing through the country, including the 54 common ones with India. He also called for building unity among the people of both Bangladesh and India for ensuring proper and beneficial use of waters of the common rivers for all.
He urged the government to compensate farmers who incurred losses due to the lack of irrigation from India’s unilateral withdrawal of Teesta water.