Residents of Lamchhari, the village of philosopher Araj Ali Matubbar, under Charbaria union of Barisal formed a human chain yesterday morning demanding that immediate measures be taken to save the area from river erosion.
The Darshanik Aroj Manjil Public Library organised the programme in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall in Barisal city.
The programme was presided over by Shah Azizur Rahman Khokan, president of the library.
Addressing the rally, speakers said the river had devoured hundreds of houses and damaged half a kilometre of road this year, causing grave concern among the local people.
They also said the rapid erosion of Kirtankhola River had become a threat to the existence of Lamchhari village. Road communication between the village and other parts of the city may snap at any time because of the erosion.
A portion of Taltali Bazaar-Lamchhari road has already been eroded by the river, they said, adding that the river has also engulfed a good number of houses.
The participants further demanded the construction of embankments and ring dams to check the river erosion.
They also urged authorities concerned to arrange relief and assistance for the people whose properties had been eroded by the river.
“If the erosion continues in this way, I may lose my ancestral house within a short time,” said a villager.
After the human chain, the participants also handed over a memorandum to the deputy commissioner’s office seeking prompt measures in this regard.
The rally was addressed by Aiub Hossain, member secretary of Amra Bachtey Chai, Advocate AK Azad, district CPB president, Harun-or-Rashid, United Communist League leader and Advocate Tarun Chanda, among others.