Thousands of flood-hit people of three districts set up blockade at Chuknagar crossing in Dumuria upazila of Khulna demanding relief and steps to save them from flood.
The residents of Satkhira, Khulna and Jessore enforced the programme on Khulna-Jessore and Khulna-Satkhira highways for one hour from noon, which halted traffic movement ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Local people under the banner of Pani Committee and Banbhashi Sanghoti Mancho organised the blockade programme.
Earlier, they held a rally on Chuknagar Girls' High School premises where principal ABM Shafiqul Islam, president of the Water Committee, chaired the occasion.
Among others, member secretary of Banbhashi Sanghoti Mancho Sheikh Ashraf-uz-Zaman, Awami League leader Shyamol Singh Rai, local JSD leader Zillur Rahman and local CPB leader Mohendranath Sen spoke at the rally.
The speakers criticised the government as it did not take necessary steps for the flood victims in three districts though they remained marooned for nearly one month. They also deplored the inadequate measures taken by the health and food & disaster management ministers.
They deplored that the affected areas were not declared disaster zone and the victims were not provided with relief. Their Eid celebration is going to be uncertain under the circumstances, they said.
They expressed opinion that there was no scope to escape from flood in the areas if no initiative was taken to save Kobadak river.
Around 15 lakh people of Khulna, Satkhira and Jessore districts have been more or less affected due to the flood.
Source : New Age
