RANGPUR, Feb 11, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and Organizing Secretary (Rangpur Division) of the BNP Central Executive Committee Principal Asadul Habib Dulu today described the river Teesta as a lifeline of the country’s economy and culture.

“The Teesta is not merely a river, it is the lifeline of our economy and an integral part of our culture. So, we must realize our fair share of its water,” he said

He was addressing as the chief guest at a preparatory meeting organized by the Teesta River Protection Movement at Haripur Teesta Bridge point in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha demanding a due share of Teesta water and implementation of the Teesta Mega Project.
 
The meeting was arranged before organizing a series of events, including the sit-in programmes, on both sides of the river Teesta on February 17 and 18 and unite people from all walks of life to materialise their demands.
 
Principal Asadul Habib Dulu said, “Just we defeated the fascist Sheikh Hasina, we will transform Teesta into a service river for the welfare of the people in future by carrying out necessary works and ensuring proper management to this end.”
 
Dulu, also a former deputy minister, said, “Those who were in power for long 16 years, they only protected their own interests, they did not look at the people”.
 
“China wanted to provide Taka 8,000 crore. They also did the survey and design, but this project was not implemented because the government bowed to India's foreign policy. Now we will not listen to India anymore. This project is possible to implement,” he said.
 
He said if foreign countries do not help, it is possible to implement this project with Bangladesh's own money. If we remain united and raise our demands in unison, then any government will be forced to accept us.'
 
“Those who are part of the BNP, they could not stand in one place. Wherever we went, the police attacked. We did not have the courage to speak about the people's demands,” he said.
 
Dulu said, “Wherever we stood, they arrested us and sent us to jail, killed us and subjected us to enforced disappearance. The police have bloodied our leaders and activists across the country. Many have been paralysed.”
 
He said Tarique Rahman has already expressed his agreement with this demand and he will give a speech on February 18 next.
 
And on February 17, the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will inaugurate the sit-in programmes.
 
“Hopefully, whoever becomes the Prime Minister with the mandate of the people of Bangladesh in future, if that leader speaks in unison with our demands, then this project will be implemented,” he added.
 
Gaibandha District Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and District BNP President Prof. Dr. Mainul Hasan Sadik presided over the vent moderated by Sundarganj Upazila BNP Convener Babul Ahmed and Member-Secretary Mahmudul Islam Pramanik.
 
Joint Organizing Secretary (Rangpur Division) of the BNP Central Executive Committee Prof. Md Aminul Islam addressed the meeting as special guest.
 
BNP leaders Mahmudunnabi Titul, Shahiduzzaman Shahid, Mazharul Islam, Abdul Awal Arju, Advocate Jahangir Alam Jinnah, Professor Dr. Ziaul Haque Zia, Sundarganj Municipality BNP Convener Ikhtiar Uddin Bhuiyan Nipon, among others, spoke on the occasion.
 
Leaders of the district and upazila BNP and its associate bodies, and local people were present at the event.