Agartala: Jan 22: Birjit Sinha, MLA of Kailashahar constituency in Unakoti district, held a press conference at the district Congress office on Wednesday to discuss the flood situation and the embankment issue in Kailashahar. The press conference followed a heated discussion in the state assembly.
The MLA raised concerns about Bangladesh constructing a large embankment in the Devipur area of Rangauti Gram Panchayat in Kailashahar. State minister Sudhanshu Das supported his concern, and the Chief Minister has been urged to take swift action.
District magistrate Dilip Kumar Chakma and other senior officials inspected the embankment along the India-Bangladesh border. The MLA emphasized that Kailashahar is a flood-prone area and the existing state embankment along the Manu river is in poor condition. Despite occasional repairs, no substantial work has been carried out.
Birjit Sinha demanded urgent measures to raise and widen the embankment on the Indian side of the Manu river to prevent potential flooding in Kailashahar this year. He also called for the repair of various sluice gates in the city.
Responding to a journalist’s query, the MLA stated that while the district administration and the Chief Minister have raised concerns about Bangladesh’s construction of a high embankment along the India-Bangladesh border, the BSF claims it to be a road. The Indian government will need to clarify this matter. He asserted that this situation has arisen due to the Indian government’s negligence.
The former MLA of Kailashahar constituency stated that the Congress party would be launching a protest on this issue. On the 25th of this month, a road blockade will be held near the Kailashahar airport, followed by a long march from Tila Bazar to Devipur in Rangauti Gram Panchayat.
The district Congress president, Badruzzaman, echoed the MLA’s concerns, stating that the condition of the extensive embankment in Kailashahar is very poor and could breach with even a small amount of water. He reminded everyone of the devastating floods of 2018 and expressed disappointment with the lack of action by the flood control department. He further warned that the construction of a large embankment by Bangladesh in the zero-point area could lead to a catastrophic flood situation in Kailashahar in the future.
Badruzzaman issued a stern warning that if the repair work on the embankment does not begin within the next fifteen days, a 48-hour shutdown will be called in Kailashahar. If the government still fails to take any initiative to construct the embankment, the Congress party will launch a vigorous agitation.
