Agartala: Jan 25: Congress MLA Birjit Sinha has raised concerns over the illegal construction of a dam by Bangladesh on the Manu River in Kailashahar, Tripura, which he claims threatens to flood the region during the upcoming monsoon season. Addressing a gathering during a long march in Kailashahar today, Sinha called for the Indian government to take immediate and strict action against Bangladesh. He highlighted a recent incident where Bangladeshi citizens allegedly attempted to snatch weapons from Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, further intensifying his call for action.
In a related protest, Congress party members blocked a road near the airport on the Kailashahar-Dharmanagar route from 10 am today, demanding the repair of the dam. The blockade led to heavy traffic disruptions, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides. The protest was called off after two hours following police intervention. However, Sinha and other opposition leaders warned that they would intensify their protests if the issue was not resolved soon.
Sinha expressed concerns about the illegal dam construction, claiming that the structure had been raised by 12 to 14 feet by Bangladesh, which could lead to devastating floods in Kailashahar and surrounding areas if the water level rises next year. He emphasized that the administration’s negligence in addressing the issue could result in a catastrophic situation. The MLA had recently visited several areas, including Jalai, Chanthal, Jarultali, Kaprang, and Gobindapur, and found the situation to be dire. The Congress party has vowed to continue advocating for the repair of the dam and the protection of local communities.