Brahmaputra erosion hits 5 villages in Kurigram

People of Raniganj union under Chilmari upazila in Kurigram district form a human chain on the bank of Brahmaputra River at Fakirerhat yesterday demanding immediate steps to save them from erosion by the river.Photo: STAR

The Brahmaputra continues to devour homesteads and crop lands in Raniganj union of Chilmari upazila.
The people of the union on Tuesday formed a human chain on the bank of the river in Fakirerhaat area demanding immediate steps to stop onslaught by the river.
At least 1,000 people joined the programme that continued for half an hour from 12:05pm. Addressing a rally at the venue, the speakers said the river devoured homesteads and crop lands belonging to at least 10,000 families in five villages of the union in the last two years and continues to erode fresh areas in the union.
They urged the authorities concerned to take urgent steps to save the union from the onslaught by the river. Former ambassador Ashrafuddaula Taj, Chairman of Raiganj Union Parisahad Md Manjurul Islam, former chairman of the union Md Joynal Abedin and Headmaster of Fakirerhaat High School Md Ruhul Amin spoke at trhe rally.
The speaker said if necessary measures are not taken as early as possible, homesteads, crop lands, schools and mosques at Patwatari, Nayaboash, Kachkol, Anantapur and Ramna villagers will go into the river during the rainy season.
They urged the government to take steps to stop erosion by the river without further delay. The participants in the human chain also brought out a procession in the union and paraded the different villages.