The Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Khaleda Zia on Tuesday began a two-day march to the Teesta Dam demanding a “fair share” of river water from India.
The much-publicized ‘Long March’, which was attended by around 200 leaders and activists, was flagged off by the party’s acting general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in Dhaka’s Azampur area on Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday, marchers will hold six street rallies at different points along the route to the Tessa Dam in the northern district of Nilphamari. The program will culminate with a rally in Dalia and is being held against the backdrop of severe water shortages in northern areas. Water flow in Teesta has dropped to 650 cusecs from 3,500 cusecs around this time last year.
The program, the BNP said, aims to focus on Bangladesh’s demand for a rightful share of Teesta waters from India and condemn the government’s failure to ensure it. The party also insists on an equal share of the waters of 53 other transboundary rivers. The government, it argues, has abandoned national interests and handed over the “corridor of power” to India.
BNP allies lent their support to the program.
While the government is closely monitoring the march, Minister of State for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan has warned that those causing anarchy will face legal action. However, the government will support the program if it is organized peacefully, he added.
Published – Apr 23, 2014 12:33 pm EST.