Residents of several erosion-prone areas in Sonagazi upazila formed a human chain on Sunday, demanding the immediate completion of dredging work to prevent further erosion along the Muhuri River. The demonstration took place along the riverbank in East Sonapur, Jamtola, and nearby areas.
Speakers at the event alleged that illegal sand extraction during the previous government period severely weakened the riverbanks, causing extensive damage. Thousands of acres of cropland, homes, trees, fisheries, and poultry farms have already been lost to the river. Following a visit to the affected areas after the political transition on August 5, Environment and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan directed authorities to take immediate action and allocated Tk 11.2 million for dredging. A contracting firm, RSTS, began dredging operations, but local land grabbers reportedly obstructed the work, forcing the contractor to suspend activities. Meanwhile, erosion continues unabated, putting vast areas of agricultural land, homes, educational institutions, and farms at risk. Participants in the human chain urged the Chief Adviser, the Ministry of Water Resources, and senior officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to intervene immediately and ensure the completion of dredging work. Hundreds of men and women from the affected areas joined the protest, calling for urgent action to protect their livelihoods. Superintending Engineer Md. Majedur Rahman of BWDB, after visiting the affected sites, acknowledged the legitimacy of the residents' demands.
