'Force India to cancel river-link project'

Bapa formed a human chain at Shahbag intersection in the city protesting the agreement between Uttar Pradesh and Maddhaya Pradesh on the linking of Ken-Betwa river.

It also demanded regular meeting of the JRC by increasing the number of Bangladesh representatives in the commission.

The speakers said the entire environment of the sub-continent would be devastated, around four crore people displaced and Bangladesh as well as nine Indian states severely affected if the river-linking project is implemented.

Prof Mozaffor Ahmed at his presidential speech said no project could be implemented jeopardizing Bangladesh's atmosphere.

"Management of water resources on the basis of equal rights is recognised all over the world, but India is not maintaining the principle in this case," he said, adding that they would take to the streets on September 20 when the JRC meeting will be held in the city.

Bapa General Secretary Mohidul Haque Khan urged all to strengthen the movement so that India is forced to cancel the project.

Prof Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University, Mihir Biswas, Iqbal Habib of Bapa, Engineer Kaderuzzaman, Dr Mahbub Hossain, Prof Mokaddem Hossain and Dr Abdul Hai Majumder also spoke.

Different organisations including Hunger Project, Green Voice, Work for a Better Bangladesh, Peace and Asia Pacific University expressed their solidarity with Bapa's demand.