UNB, Dhaka :The alliance of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) jointly launched their three-day ‘Teesta march’ after a rally in front of the National Press Club on Thursday afternoon.The CPB-BSD jointly orgainsed the ‘Teesta March’ programme demanding equal share of waters of 54 common rivers, including the Teesta flowing down from India.Addressing the rally, CPB general secretary Sayed Abu Zafar said it is not possible to get equal share of Teesta water unless the government does not give up its subservient foreign policy.Drawing attention to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the CPB general secretary said “You won’t get due share of water from India sending ‘Hilsha and Saree’. You should take strong stance like your father,” Zafar said.BSD general secretary Khalequzzaman said, “If our rivers remain alive, Bangladesh will survive…We’re organising ‘Teesta March’ to save rivers.”He emphasised raising voice in the international forum against the water policy of the neighbouring country.In his speech, CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim said Bangladeshi people cannot accept unilateral control of India, China and Myanmar on common rivers. “Bangladesh has the equal right to the common rivers, including the Teesta,” he said.Bangladesh will turn into a desert due to the unilateral withdrawal of water by India. The mighty Padma River has almost dried up due to Farakkh Barrage…the Teesta River has been drying up due to the construction of embankment in the upstream of the river in India, the CPB president said.The government should resolve the crisis prevailing over the common 54 rivers, including the Teesta, through proper discussions, Selim said.The rally was addressed, among others by, Workers Party Central leader Ragib Ahsan Munna, Paribesh Bachao Andolon general secretary Dr Abdul Matin, Jahangirnagar University teacher Prof Anu Muhammad and Convenor of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna.Meanwhile, CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince said the marchers would hold a rally at Gazipur crossing Thursday evening and then stay overnight in Sirajganj.The second day ‘Teesta march’ will start after holding another rally in Sirajganj on Friday morning and later they will march towards Bogra where another rally would be held at about 4:00 pm and stay overnight in Rangpur, he said.On the last day, Saturday, the marchers would hold another rally at Rangpur Public Library field in the morning and then they will start for Teesta Barrage and then hold the concluding rally at Sadhur Bazar adjacent to Daliya Teesta Barrage, the CPB leader said.
