Rangpur round-table emphasises on national interest

Our Correspondent RANGPUR, Dec 27: Speakers at a round-table Monday urged the government to preserve cent per cent national interest in making any transit or trans-shipment agreement with India. They pointed out that the country has many unresolved issues with India that include barbed wire fencing along the border, border killings, trade imbalance, Teesta river water-sharing, and Tipaimukh dam. They emphasized that these issues should be resolved without delay to maintain a friendly relation between the two neighbouring countries. A Rangpur-based half-yearly magazine, Dakghor, organised the discussion on 'Transit, Corridor and Proposed Asian Highway and Bangladesh' at Rangpur Press Club at noon in the town. National committee to protect oil, gas, mineral resources, power and ports member secretary Anu Mohammad was the chief guest of the session moderated by Nahid Nolez. Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry director Rabi Somani, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal Rangpur district unit convener Anowar Hossain, Motor Owners' association Rangpur district unit president Azgar Ahamed Pintu, transport workers' union leader Abdur Rouf, journalist Wadud Ali, and a large number of teachers, journalists, students and cultural activists took part in the discussion.