Stopping pond digging on cropland demanded in Rajshahi

Organized by the Rashtra Sangskar Krishak Andolan, Barendra Youth Forum and Sabuj Sanghati, Rajshahi Metropolitan Unit, a press conference was held at Angshu Book Cafe in Ganakpara on Saturday at 11 am demanding an end to the forced and illegal digging of ponds on cropland in Nimai Beel of Bagmara Upazila of the district.

Md Amjad Hossain, convener of Rashtra Sangskar Krishak Andolan, Bagmara and lecturer of Mohanpur College, presented a written statement at the press conference. River and environment researcher Mahbub Siddiqui, Adv Hossain Ali Piara, Barendra Youth Forum Joint General Secretary Md Atiqur Rahman Atiq, and July-36 Parishad Conveners Mahmud Jamal Kaderi and Ishita Yasmin participated in the question and answer session.

It was informed at the press conference that along with various upazilas of Rajshahi, illegal pond digging is going on in Nimai Beel. Human chains were formed and memorandums were submitted to bring this matter to the attention of the administration. After this, without getting any remedy, a case was filed in the court of Rajshahi Senior Judicial Magistrate Bagmara on March 19, 2025. Bagmara Upazila AC (Land) is investigating the case. When no progress was made, a writ petition was filed in the High Court Division on April 8, 2025 and in this writ, a stay order was issued on the pond digging in Bagmara and instructions were given to the Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner, UNO and AC (Land) to take effective action.

Meanwhile, the accused, ignoring the laws and the writ petition, have started digging again during the Eid-ul-Azha holiday in about 60 bighas of cropland of Nimai Beel. Although the concerned officials, including the Bagmara Police Station, Upazila Administration, and District Administration, have been informed several times, they have not taken any action.