Scrap Feni water-sharing deal immediately: LDA

Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) leaders at a protest rally yesterday condemned banning student politics at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) following the murder of its student Abrar Fahad.

Citing the contributions of student politics in the country’s history, they said putting an end to something instead of addressing the core problems cannot be a solution; rather it indicates failure.

They also strongly criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for signing the Feni water-sharing agreement with India, demanding that the government withdraw the agreement immediately and do not make such “anti-national” treaties in future.

LDA organised the rally in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

On October 5, the Bangladesh PM -- during her visit in India -- signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian PM Narendra Modi, allowing the country to take 1.82 cusec water from Feni river for drinking purpose.

Abrar, on that day, made a Facebook post criticising the agreement. The next day, a group of Chhatra League leaders brutally beat Abrar to death at a dormitory on Buet campus for the post. Following this, the university authority on Friday banned political activities on the campus.

“Chhatra League killed such a bright student just for protesting the anti-national treaty!” said Nazrul Islam, a central leader of LDA.

He alleged that the ruling Awami League is using its student and youth organisations to carry out various forms of “terrorism” -- including murder, rape and extortion -- which must be stopped.

Shah Alam, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh, said the PM offered water from Feni river without ensuring the due share of Teesta, which suggests her “obedience to India”.