Today, BNP central executive committee Principal Asadul Habib Dulu spokepress conference at Rangpur. Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Feb 15, 2025 (BSS) - Due to subservient policy of fascist Sheikh Hasina towards India, the Teesta Mega Plan was not implemented. As a result, the aspirations of nearly two crore people remained unfulfilled.
 
"Hasina chose to remain in power instead of the Teesta Water Treaty," Chief Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and Organizing Secretary (Rangpur division) of the BNP central executive committee Principal Asadul Habib Dulu said today.
 
He was addressing a press conference organised by the Teesta River Protection Movement at a local hotel before observing a 48-hour sit-in programme on February 17 and 18 to demand fair share of Teesta water and implementation of Teesta Master Plan.
 
Dulu, also a former deputy minister, said that for a long time, the people of Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Rangpur and Gaibandha districts, surrounded by the river Teesta, have been victims of discrimination in the water of the river.
 
"About two crore people of the northern region had been demanding the Teesta Water Treaty from the last fascist Sheikh Hasina regime. But due to that government's knee-jerk foreign policy, the people's aspirations have not been fulfilled," he said.
 
Dulu said that China, a friendly country of Bangladesh, had formulated a design for the Teesta Master Plan in 2016.
 
"As per the Chinese proposal, the river Teesta, which is 8 kilometers wide, will be reduced to 1.5 kilometers. Wide roads, guide dams, satellite cities, economic zones, housing and tourism centers will be built on both sides of the river," Dulu said.
 
The Chinese proposal included establishment of industries, factories and an economic zone to create employment for millions of unemployed people. The people of Rangpur were optimistic that the once mighty river Teesta would regain its youth," he said.
 
He said the proposed Teesta Master Plan was a project to save the lives of the people on the banks of the river. But the fallen Awami League government did not implement that project.
 
BNP leader Dulu further said, "We got freedom of speech through the July Revolution. The people of Rangpur have woken up with the Teesta Master Plan.
 
"To this end, a 48-hour continuous action will be taken by thousands of people at 11 points of the Teesta River in five districts of Rangpur region on February 17 and 18 under the slogan 'Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai' demanding the implementation of the Teesta Water Treaty and Master Plan," he said.
 
"Through this programme, the issue of discrimination over Teesta water will be made known to the entire world," he said, and urged journalists to continue broader coverage of the 48-hour continuous programme to make the international community informed too.
 
The BNP leader said, "We think that there is an international law for the common rivers flowing through two, three or more countries. There is no scope to stop water flow of any international river by any side."
 
"India is continuing a discriminatory behavior with us regarding the Teesta river water. We want to get rid of the situation, it is our demand," he said.  
 
Asadul Habib Dulu said that recently two advisers of the interim government spoke at a public hearing on the Teesta River bank in Kawnia upazila of Rangpur.
 
"One of the advisers wanted to conduct some work on the Teesta River this year. We have an objection in this regard. There is no need to waste the people's tax money by doing scattered work before the implementation of the Master Plan," he said.
 
 The adviser said the people of Teesta riverine areas have already accepted a lot of hardship for years after years. Even if it is delayed, everyone wants the Teesta Master Plan to be implemented in a planned manner to attain the full results.
 
To express solidarity with the Teesta River Protection Movement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will join the 48-hour continuous programme on February 17 and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on February 18 in the evening.
 
"In addition, President of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Junaid Saki, General Secretary of Biplobi Workers Party Saiful Haque and other national leaders will also join the programme," Dulu said.
 
Rangpur Metropolitan Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and Rangpur Metropolitan BNP convener Shamsuzzaman Samu, its Member-secretary Advocate Mahfuz-un-Nabi Don, district BNP Member-secretary Anisur Rahman Laku, Kawnia upazila Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and BNP leader Emdadul Haque Bharasa, senior journalists Salequzzaman Salek were present.