Build dyke, save villages from erosion

Several hundred people of two villages under Baufal uazila of the district formed a human chain on the bank of the Tentulia River at Char Wadel yesterday, demanding construction of a dyke to save their houses and farmlands from erosion.

The programme started at about 10:00am and lasted for an hour. The people of Char Barret and Char Diara-kachua of Chandra Dweep union took part in the programme.

Abul Hasem, 50, of Char Wadel said the river has already devoured the homesteads of 300 families and several thousand acres of agricultural land.

Belal Majhee, one of the participants, said the people of the two villages are ready to help the local administration build an embankment to save their houses, orchards and farmlands from the onslaught by the river.

Newly elected UP chairman Md Anamul Huque said both villages would soon go into the river if an embankment is not constructed. "We urge the government to take immediate steps to build a dyke along the river bank to save the villages from erosion," the chairman.