People solve problem as lawmaker fails

The stagnant water, created by the inoperative Bangdah sluice gate built in 1970s, floods 27 villages, making 15000 acres of lands uncultivable. The sluice gate was built to allow water of these beels flow into Marichchap river. But as the Marichchap lost navigability due to massive deposit of silt over the years, the sluice gate became a bane for the people in Fingri, Dhulihar and Brammarajpur unions.

Several hundred families remain marooned even after the rainy season.

The situation continued for about ten years as the outlet is clogged, local people said.

After repeated appeals and demonstrations by the affected people, local Jamat lawmaker Maulana Abdul Khaleque before the last general elections had pledged to take steps to drain out the stagnant water of these beels by renovating the inoperative sluice gate.

But the pledge was not fulfilled, local people alleged.

Local people of all classes, educated and illiterate, under the banner of Bangdah Sluice Gate Renovation Committee, are started cutting earth with spades on Monday on self help basis to drain out the stagnant water.

The work is expected to be completed in a day o two, said Fingri Union Parishad member, who is also convenor of the committee.

Every day several hundred people join the work voluntarily, freedom fighter Abul Khair, another member of the committee told this correspondent.

Local BNP leader and Dhulihar UP chairman Prof. Modasserul Haque Huda and Satkhira distrct Awami League (AL) general secretary Nazrul Islam are lading the people in the work. Nazrul Islam is from Fingri union .

"People can do every thing if they can be mobilised", said Sadar upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) SM Ashrafuzzaman after seeing the wok. He also extended all out support to it.

On contact, Jamaat lawmaker Maulana Abdul Khaleque said he tried his best to solve the problem but failed due to non-cooperation of a section of officials.

He however said, he will do his best to solve the problems permanently.