No compromise on securing Padma water; will hold another long march if necessary: ​​Akhtar

BanglaPress Desk: Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) and a Member of Parliament, has issued a stern warning that there will be no compromises when it comes to securing a fair share of the Padma River's water.

He stated that the water of the Padma is not merely water; it is a matter of existence for the people of Bangladesh. There will be no concessions regarding this fundamental issue of survival. If necessary, he added, there will be no hesitation in organizing a long march—much like the one led by Maulana Bhashani—to demand the rightful share of the Padma’s water.

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a street rally organized by the Katakhali municipal branch of the NCP in Rajshahi on Saturday night.

Addressing the gathering, Akhtar Hossain noted, "Our ancestors from Rajshahi participated in Maulana Bhashani’s Farakka Long March. That historical event has regained its relevance today, as the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is set to expire this coming December. The people of Bangladesh will not yield even an inch when it comes to the waters of the Padma."

He continued, "Since the construction of the Farakka Barrage, the volume of water flowing into the Padma has been halved, leaving the people of Bangladesh deprived. During the dry season, the Padma’s various distributaries and tributaries run dry. In the Khulna region, the absence of fresh water in these channels has allowed saline water from the sea to push further inland. We will not allow the implementation of any blueprint designed to destroy Bangladesh’s agriculture and strip its people of their fundamental rights."

Urging the government to remain proactive in securing a fair share of the water, Akhtar emphasized, "Keeping the interests of our people in mind, we cannot afford to make any concessions in the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. We must secure what is rightfully ours. Should any conspiracy arise—or should the very existence of our people be threatened—we will not hesitate for a moment to launch a long march, following the precedent set by Maulana Bhashani."

The NCP Member Secretary also touched upon the issue of a caretaker government system. Criticizing the government, he stated, "The BNP is harboring ulterior motives regarding a caretaker government, much like they have done in the past. We must remain vigilant against the sinister agenda behind this new formula for a caretaker government proposed by the BNP. If the BNP believes they can seize control of a caretaker government to act against the interests of the people of Bangladesh, the nation will not allow such an opportunity."

Imran Emon, the Organizing Secretary for the Rajshahi Division of the NCP, served as the keynote speaker at the street-side rally. Special guests included District NCP Convener M. A. Sabur, Member Secretary Nahidul Islam Saju, and Metropolitan NCP Convener Mobasher Ali, among others.

Masudul Islam, Convener of the Katakhali Municipal NCP, presided over the event, while Member Secretary Shafiqul Islam Sajib moderated the proceedings. Source: Jugantor