Human chain and torch procession at CU Shaheed Minar demanding implementation of Teesta Master Plan

A human chain was held at Shaheed Minar of Chittagong University to protest the long-standing deprivation and discrimination in the northern region of Bangladesh and to demand the speedy implementation of Teesta Master Plan. The human chain titled “Solidarity for the Implementation of Teesta Master Plan and Discrimination in North Bengal” was organized by Rangpur Division Students Unity, Chittagong University (CU) on Sunday (October 20) at 6 pm at the Shaheed Minar premises of the university.

Students, teachers, officers and employees of various faculties of the university, as well as students of the greater Rangpur division participated in the human chain. The speakers present said that the Teesta Master Plan is a national demand related to the economy, agriculture and livelihood of not only North Bengal, but also the entire Bangladesh. The northern region has been neglected for a long time. The deprivation of this region in irrigation system, agricultural development, industrialization and employment is clear. Therefore, they commented that if the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan is delayed, not only North Bengal but the entire country will be affected.

The newly elected Chaksur General Secretary (GS) Saeed Bin Habib was present at the program to express solidarity. He said, “India is not only the enemy of Bangladesh, but India is the enemy of humanity. The interim government must disclose all the agreements made with India to the public. The agreements related to the interests of Bangladesh must be maintained and all the remaining agreements must be canceled.” The students present responded to his speech with thunderous applause.

After the human chain, a protest torch procession started from Shaheed Minar and circled the main road of the university before ending at Zero Point. With burning torches in their hands and slogans in their voices—“We want the implementation of the Teesta project, we want an end to discrimination”—resounded throughout the campus.

The organizers said that if the Teesta Master Plan is implemented, agricultural production in North Bengal will increase, employment will be created and internal migration will decrease. The implementation of this project will ensure the country's food security and economic balance. They called on everyone, regardless of party or opinion, to show solidarity in this movement.

At the end of the human chain, the participants vowed to continue the movement until the Teesta Master Plan is implemented. Their voices echoed with one demand—“Save Teesta, save North Bengal, save Bangladesh.”