Two left-leaning parties on Saturday called for movement so India allows Bangladesh its fair share of water from River Teesta.
They alleged that Bangladesh is not getting the fair share of waters of the common rivers, including Teesta, because of submissive policies of the successive governments in Dhaka.
Leaders of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) also called upon the government to settle the water dispute with India at bilateral, multilateral and international forums, including the UN.
They were addressing a rally at Sadhur Bazar adjacent to Teesta Barrage in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat district.
Reading out ‘Teesta Ghoshona (Teesta Declaration)’ at the rally, CPB general secretary Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed said the dispute with India over the water issue will not be resolved if what they the current subservient foreign policy remains in place.
Referring to the failures of the successive governments to resolve the water issue with neighbouring country, he alleged that the past governments have protected the interest of India.
He stressed the need for adopting coordinated plans for proper water distribution of 57 international rivers flowing through the country including the 54 common ones with India.
He also called for building unity among the people of both Bangladesh and India for ensuring proper and beneficial use of waters of the common rivers for all.
The CPB leader urged the government to provide compensation to the farmers incurred losses due to lack of irrigation resulted from India’ s unilateral withdrawal of Teesta water.
He also announced different programmes, including farmers rally in Rangpur on May 8, consultative meeting in Dhaka on May 10, international seminar in June over the river water dispute.
Left leaders Ruhin Hossain Prince, Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Razekuzzaman Ratan, Mihir Ghos, Khalekuzzaman were, among others, present at the rally presided over by former CPB leader Shahadat Hossain.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, CPB-BSD Left Alliance launched their 3-day road-march towards Teesta Barrage demanding equitable share of waters of 54 common rivers, including the Teesta, flowing into Bangladesh from India.
The road-march started through a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital around 3:30pm.
On way to Teesta Barrage, the marchers held rallies at different places.
On Saturday, they held rallies in Rangpur and Nilphamari while heading toward Lalmonirhat for the concluding rally at Sadhur Bazar adjacent to Daliya Teesta Barrage.
Meanwhile, BNP is also going to stage a long-march towards Tessta Barrage on April 22 from the capital demanding due share of the river’ s water.
