Md. Humayun Kabir, Gauripur
Local activists have held a road blockade and sit-in program demanding the immediate completion of the unfinished excavation work of the Swai River in the Shyamganj College Gate area between Purbadhala and Gauripur upazilas of Netrokona. February 20 (Thursday)
The program lasted for several hours on the Mymensingh-Netrokona highway, in which people from different classes and professions participated.
Syed S. M. Riju, who participated in the sit-in, alleged that although the excavation of 46 kilometers of the Sawai River began last year, the work on a one-kilometer section was stopped midway. He claimed that former MP Nilufar Anjum Poppy, former Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh and Chief Engineer of the Netrokona Water Development Board Sarwar Jahan have stopped the excavation work through bribery. They are trying to convince the common people that there is no river in that section, whereas it is a fully flowing river.
Yasin, who is on the move, said that officials of the Water Development Board are taking huge bribes from land grabbers and are trying to get away with it. He warned, “Even if the engineer concerned tries to get transferred and escape, we will not let that happen. The movement will continue until the river excavation is completed.”
On the other hand, protester Ark Dutta said, "Today we have blocked the highway, but if a decision is not taken quickly, then strict programs will be held in front of the Water Development Board office and the Deputy Commissioner's office as well. This corruption will not be accepted in any way."
In this regard, Sarwar Jahan, Chief Engineer of the Netrokona Water Development Board, said, "We have already prepared an investigation report on the work and sent it to the head office in Dhaka. Details will be announced after a decision is made."
After the road blockade continued for more than two hours, Purbadhala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rezwana Kabir met the protesters. After he spoke to senior officials and assured them of a final decision within seven days, the situation normalized and traffic resumed.
The protesters have announced a tougher protest if the unfinished excavation work of the Swai River is not completed soon. They have demanded that the administration take immediate and effective action as promised.
