Shalmara River Protection Committee of the Riverine People organised a human chain today. Photo: BSS

 
RANGPUR, Feb 11, 2025 (BSS) - The Shalmara River Protection Committee of the Riverine People organised a human chain today at Taboar Ghat in Pairaband union of Mithapukur upazila here demanding immediate cancellation of the lease of the river Shalmara.
 
Leaders and activists of the Shalmara River Protection Committee from the human chain also demanded punishment of the then Deputy Commissioner, Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Commissioner (Land) involved in leasing the river Shalmara. 
 
President of the Shalmara River Protection Committee Md Shah Jalal presided over the human chain participated by a large number of the affected riverside people of the area.
 
Director of Riverine People Bangladesh and Professor of the Department of Bengali at Begum Rokeya University Dr. Tuhin Wadud participated in the human chain and addressed the occasion as the keynote speaker.
 
General Secretary of the Shalmara River Protection Committee Md Halim Mian Ranga, river organizers Atiqur Rahman, Rafiq Mia, Mujibur Rahman, Azizar Rahman, Mahfuzar Rahman, Convener of the Riverine People Club of Begum Rokeya University Chaomun Patwari Supta, among others, spoke.
 
Professor Tuhin Wadud said that the lease of the flowing river Shalmara is a violation of the constitution, law and even the verdict of the High Court. 
 
"A total of about 51 acres of land area of the river Shalmara have been illegally leased in three separate places in favour of three names," he said, and demanded immediate cancellation of the illegal lease and punishment to the responsible officials involved.