An event named ‘Stabdha Rangpur’ has been announced to be observed on October 30, demanding the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.
Teesta Nadi Raksha Andolan Committee announced the programme to observe from 11:00am to 11:15am on the day as part of its ongoing movement to save the Teesta River.
Leaders of the movement committee said that it would be observed as a symbol of the Teesta region’s rightful demand.
The 15-minute silence will echo the united protest of the Teesta’s people, conveying the message ‘if Teesta remains alive, the North Bengal will remain live; if Teesta remains alive, Bangladesh will remain alive’.
According to the announcement, people from all walks of life, including students, teachers, farmers, workers, traders, buyers, sellers, transport owners and workers and government and private officials across five districts of the Rangpur division have been urged to stop their work at 11:00am and stand silently for 15 minutes in solidarity.
Drivers of all types of vehicles-motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, buses and trains have been requested to halt their vehicles and remain in place for 15 minutes.
In educational institutions, teachers will refrain from conducting classes, while students will suspend their academic activities during that time.
The movement committee has called upon everyone in society to stop all forms of activity for 15 minutes to express unity for the protection and survival of the Teesta River.
Teesta Nadi Raksha Andolan chief coordinator and organising secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party Asadul Habib Dulu said that if the government did not begin work on the Teesta Master Plan with its own funding before the announcement of the election schedule, they would wage a larger movement together with the people living along the Teesta.
‘The people of northern Bangladesh are now united in their demand for the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan,’ he warned.
Mentioning that the Teesta is not just a river, it symbolises the life, livelihood and culture of the people in the area, Dulu, also former deputy minister, said, ‘The fate of millions living in its basin depends on the restoration of its water flow and vitality.’
Earlier, under the banner of the Teesta Nadi Raksha Andolan, a series of programmes were observed across Rangpur division’s Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha.
On February 17 and 18, hundreds of thousands of people observed sit-in programmes at 11 points along the Teesta River.
On October 5, memoranda were sent to the chief adviser through the deputy commissioners, and on October 9, mass processions were held in upazila towns.
In addition, in the evening on October 16, people from both banks of the Teesta River simultaneously lit torches as part of a torchlight procession while participants chanted slogans such as ‘wake up, save the Teesta’, ‘we demand Teesta’s fair share’ and ‘implement the Teesta Master Plan’.Â
The movement leaders have reaffirmed their firm resolve that the campaign will continue until the Teesta Master Plan is implemented.