Md Atowar Rahman, Nilphamari :
Thousands of farmers from Dimla and Jaldhaka upazilas in Nilphamari have staged a human chain and road blockade, demanding the immediate commencement of the Buritista River dredging project and access to irrigation water.
On Monday, from around 11 a.m., farmers began gathering in groups at the Kaliganj Bazaar area of Jaldhaka upazila. They later blocked the Dimla-Jaldhaka road, halting hundreds of vehicles, including buses, trucks, minibuses, microbuses, and three-wheelers.
Abdul Aziz, a farmer from Deshibai village in Jaldhaka, said, “If the Buritista River is dredged, we will be able to irrigate our farmland at a very low cost through the canal system. Due to illegal occupation by some land grabbers, contractors have not been able to start work for a long time.”
He added that although the government undertook the project long ago, several influential individuals have been occupying river land, causing delays and creating hardship for farmers.
Sabbir Ahmed, Joint General Secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Movement’s Nilphamari district unit, said, “The government is spending crores of taka on river and canal development. A few illegal occupiers are obstructing the project. The administration can free the land in a single day if it wants.”
He added that the Anti-Discrimination Movement is working with the government and beneficiaries to ensure no one disrupts the dredging work. Speaking on behalf of local residents, Abdul Alim said, “We have been living on land inherited from our ancestors.
Our documents are valid. We have no objection to dredging in areas legally acquired by the Water Development Board.” Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board (WDB) in Nilphamari, said that on 17 August 2022, a plan was undertaken to clear 667 acres of land for the project.
Five contracting firms were appointed for the dredging work.
However, when they tried to begin, construction materials and machinery were set on fire, and workers were attacked.
He said illegal occupiers continue to build houses, shops, and farm on government land. “Recently, torch processions and tense situations are being created again. We have informed the administration and received assurances of legal action,” he said.
Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman said, “We are aware of the Buritista dredging project. There is no administrative obstacle to taking legal action against those obstructing government activities. Necessary steps will be taken to conduct eviction drives.”
