Waterlogged Bhabodaha

Five upazilas in Paira union falling under Jessore district remain in various stages of submersion as the 21 sluice gates in Bhabodaha have remained inoperable for many years. Hence, a serious downpour recently closed over 200 schools and students suffer the consequences. With heavy rains since the third week of August, students are facing disruption of normal studies and the near-constant water logging problem is posing health risks and sanitation problems for the greater populace of the area. One would have thought that the local authorities would take steps to make urgent repairs of the broken sluice gates that have inundated vast areas of three upazilas in the district, but that has not been forthcoming.

It is natural for local communities to feel neglected, but we are astonished to see the police baton charge a peaceful sit in on October 5 at Abhaynagar ventilating their feelings at the hardship caused by water logging. Was this action really necessary? These were peaceful protests and the use of unnecessary force was hardly called for. Why have authorities turned a blind eye to the protests that have been staged off and on for some two months now to what is obviously a nagging problem in the area? If drainage of the river requires more than one excavator, why have provisions not been made to bring in more to get the excess silt removed from Bhabodoha River and facilitate repair work? Instead of using strong arm tactics, we hope authorities will do the needful to get the sluice gates repaired and running as soon as possible.