Tipaimukh to spell disaster for Bangladesh: Ershad
December 12, 2011 00:00:00
SYLHET, Dec 11 (UNB): Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman and former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad has warned that construction of Tipaimukh dam on Barak River across the border in India will spell disaster for lower riparian country Bangladesh.
Urging the government to take immediate step to hold discussion with India over the burning issue Ershad reiterated that implementation of Tipaimulh project must be stopped at any cost, 'Even at the cost of our lives'.
He said India has no right to build the dam over Barak River at Tipaimukh unilaterally.
'I'll rather lay down my life but won't allow them to go ahead with the project across the border over there', the former president warned pointing his finger to Manipur state in India where India's central government has taken all necessary steps to build a dam at Tipaimukh point following signing of an agreement on October 24.
Mr Ershad sounded the warning at a rally, organised by Golapganj unit of the party held at the Upazila town on his way to border Upazila Jokiganj Sunday.
He said once implemented the project will dry up eight rivers, including Surma, Khowai, Khusiara and partly affect Meghna River spelling doom for several districts in Bangladesh's north, east and south-east.
Terming Tipaimukh as a death trap, Ershad said the government (of Bangladesh) should hold talks with India to conduct a joint survey before the dam is built.
Refuting allegations made by some leaders of Awami League, Ershad said he is leading the long march from capital Dhaka to the capital of spirituality with the aim to safeguarding the holy place, not to seek vote.
'I have come from capital to Sylhet to safeguard the holy district of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Poran (R) from the harm of Tipaimukh, not to woo people, seek vote from them to return to the state power', he asserted.
After an overnight halt at Sylhet, Ershad's convoy reached Golapganj town in the morning and headed to Jokiganj where he would address the final public meeting before heading back for Dhaka.
