The New Nation - Internet Edition

From A Correspondent

The Surma, the lifeline of the greater Sylhet region,witnessed a significant event on 31 March, 2008 as a group of inhabitants of the Surma valley led an expedition of protest and indignation for four hours against the Tipaimukh Dam project, already accused of plotting to murder the Barak-Surma-Kushiara-Meghna river system.

The expedition was by a rivercraft along the 60 kilometer course of the Surma. The programme was a part of International Day of Action for Rivers and against Dams.

The River march started from Sunamganj at 12 noon and was concluded at the historic Keane's Bridge ghat at 4 PM. Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin, chief executive of Angikar, Advocate Moinuddin Ahmed Jalal, Sylhet Division chief,

Angikar and Mojammel Huq Munim, Sunamganj district chief were among the expeditors.

At the Keane's bridge ghat, Sylhet, amidst emotion and high feelings, political and social leaders recieved the expeditors with applause and touching speeches. Advocate EU Shahidullah Shaheen, Public Prosecutor, Sylhet, Advocate Misbahuddin Siraj, General Secretary, Sylhet city Awami League, Barrister Arash Ali, President of Gonotontri Party and Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Sylhet unit, Advocate Bedanada Bhattyacharjee, President, Communist Party of Bangladesh,Sylhet district, Lokeman Ahmed,General Secretary, Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, Ujjal Roy, Chief, Sylhet district, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Dr.M.A.Goni of Shahjalal University, Advocate Kishore Kar of Bangabandhu Lawyers' Association, Advocate Hossain Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Sylhet District Bar, Advocate Samar

Bijoy Shree Shekhar and advocate Anowar Hossain Sumon of Sylhet Angikar among others greeted the Surma expeditors.

The speakers urged the Indian authorities to immediately refrain from going ahead with the controversial Tipaimukh Dam project which would spell catastrophic disaster to the riverine civilisation of the Barak-Surma-Kushiara-Meghna basin in India and Bangladesh.

They argued the Barak being a common river of both India and Bangladesh, the unilateral steps of construction by India was threatening lower riparian Bangladesh. The project was termed unjust and unethical and contrary to the UN

Watercourses Convention, 1997. The speakers stressed for massive peoples struggle along the Barak/Meghna basin in India and Bangladesh. The Surma expedition event created enthusiasm in the greater Sylhet region and the participants called continuing movement at the grassroots level in the greater Sylhet region in near future.