Bhabodaha anti-water logging committee stages demo

Leaders and activists of Bhabodaha Water Drainage Action Committee yesterday held a human chain and demonstrated in front of Water Development Board in Khulna city demanding for taking immediate steps to solve water logging problems permanently in Bhabodaha, Jessore. The committee convenor Ranjit Baowali presided the function where among others Rabiul Alam, JSD central leader, Zillur Rahman Bhitu, Workers’ Party secretary, Hachinur Rahman, coordinator of Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist), Abul Hossen, president of Bangladesh Communist Party, Taslimur Rahman, secretary of United Communist League, Boikuntha Roy, the committee secretary spoke on the occasion. Later they submitted a memorandum with 16 points to the Water Development Board authorities through Engineer Zulfikar Ali Howladar. According to previous reports of the Dhaka Tribune, the large area is similar with longterm water logging as drainage channels of several rivers of the area have been silted up. Due to fatal water logging local people have become financially crippled, said local people. Water-logging in Bhabodaha is not a new problem, since 60s different steps were taken to reduce the problem but those steps did not bring any long-term benefits, said local sources. Debasis Mondal, 40, a resident of Monirampur upazila, who used to work as a daily labourer said, “Now the people of the area is ruining their lives with help of government and other organisations.” “We have been living in a tinny temporary house on a road for two months,” he said. Tripty Rani, a teacher of Sujatpara Primary School said, “Due to water logging we have compelled to live with snakes and fishes.” She said, “If concerned authorities do not take immediate steps to solve water logging problems permanently, we have bound to raise our voices.” Shekhar Chandra Roy, Chairman of Kultia union said, “People of the area are suffering due to water logging. People who run their live from hand to mouth are running out of food as wage earner having sit ideal due to water logging.” The chairman urged to government to declare Bhabodaho as disaster area immediately.