The much-discussed boat race in Lauta Union of Beanibazar upazila will be held as scheduled on August 28 after local community leaders and organizers resolved tensions surrounding the event.
The competition will take place on the Sunai River. Beanibazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Zafar Mohammad Mahfuzul Karim and Lauta Union Parishad Chairman Delwar Hossain confirmed that the race would go ahead on the scheduled date.
The race, organised by young people from Lauta and Bahadurpur villages, had faced calls for cancellation from several people campaigning under the banner of ‘Tauhidi Janata’ for a week.
They also held a meeting at the local Barigram Bazar Mosque last Thursday under the same banner and made the same demand.
When the matter was published in the media, it drew criticism.
In this situation, Beanibazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Habiba Majumder assigned Lauta Union Chairman Delwar Hossain to resolve the matter.
A meeting was held at Baraigram market of the upazila, presided over by Delwar Hossain on Sunday night.
At that time, the organisers of the boat race and the opposing party were present. Later, based on everyone's consensus, it was decided to organise the boat race on time.
"The incident has been resolved by bringing both parties together," said Delwar Hossain.
Abdul Mannan, a local resident representing the organizers, said the chairman and other community leaders had agreed to the race. He added that the elders had not imposed any conditions on the organizers.
Aminul Islam, general secretary of the boat race organizing committee, said preparations were already underway. He urged residents not to be misled by rumours, saying the dispute had been resolved through discussion and mutual cooperation.
OC Abu Zafar Mohammad Mahfuzul Karim also confirmed that the matter had been settled peacefully.
The boat races have been organised on the Sonai River for 15 to 20 years.
According to the organisers, the boat race will be held in the Trigangarmukh area of the Sonai River, located between Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet and Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar. Boats must be registered by noon next Friday to participate. The first prize will be a large cow, while the second prize will be a goat.
