Protesters march in Jashore to demand recovery of encroached Mukteshwari River
Photo Collected
Residents and activists gathered in Jessore on Monday to protest the systemic encroachment of the Mukteshwari River, calling for the immediate removal of illegal structures that have compromised the waterway’s ecological integrity. Organized by the “Mukteshwari Bachao Andolan” (Save Mukteshwari Movement), the demonstration began with a human chain at Pulerhat and concluded with a protest march through the city, ending at the banks of the Bhairab River at Daratana.
Protesters highlighted that the Mukteshwari, a distributary of the Bhairab, serves as a critical drainage artery for multiple sub-districts before flowing toward the sea. They argued that the river’s natural flow is essential to resolving the persistent waterlogging issues in the Bhabadaha region. According to the movement’s leaders, the river has been systematically encroached upon through the construction of multi-story buildings, concrete boundaries, and the illicit sale of plots on state-owned land, often facilitated by falsified documentation.
বিজ্ঞাপন
A primary target of the protesters’ grievances is the Ad-din Sakina Medical College Hospital, which they allege has occupied significant portions of the riverbed. During the demonstration, movement advisor Iqbal Kabir accused the institution of encroaching into the center of the river, noting that concrete pillars for a pedestrian bridge have further obstructed the channel. Activists emphasized that years of administrative inaction have allowed these encroachments to persist, exacerbating flooding in areas like Bil Harina and leaving thousands of residents in distress.
The movement is demanding a comprehensive restoration plan, including the eviction of all illegal occupiers, the re-excavation of the river, and the restoration of its hydraulic connection to the Bhairab River. Furthermore, they are advocating for the upstream reconnection of the Bhairab with the Mathabhanga River to mitigate long-term waterlogging across the southwestern region. Organizers warned that they are prepared to escalate their protests if the administration fails to take decisive legal action against the land grabbers.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Responding to the allegations, Palash Kumar Banerjee, Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board in Jessore, confirmed that the Ad-din Hospital is currently on the agency’s list of encroachers. According to official records, the institution occupies approximately 0.61 acres of the riverbed. Banerjee stated that the board intends to issue formal eviction notices to the encroachers in the near future.
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