Kurigram canal freed from grabbing

Authorities have finally freed the government-owned Dudhkhawar Khal, a canal in Kurigram's Rajarhat upazila, from a local influential grabber.

Water Development Board in Kurigram took steps to evict the grabber after The Daily Star published a report on the canal's encroachment on October 16.

BWDB started removing soil from the canal's banks from Sunday to restore it to its original state. Locals, especially farmers, expressed relief over the canal's recovery from grabbing.

A local influential, Altaf Hossain had occupied around 400 metres of the canal, adjacent to the Teesta–Kurigram railway line, for past three years ago for fish farming illegally. As the canal's natural flow was restricted due to the grabbing, it caused serious problems for local farmers by causing waterlogging in nearby croplands.

Locals urged the authorities to remain vigilant so that no one can grab the canal again in future.

"Some 22 workers have been deployed to remove soil from both banks of the canal adjacent to the railway line to ensure normal water flow. After The Daily Star published the report, the higher authorities instructed immediate steps to free the canal from illegal occupation," said Prodip Kumar Mondal, revenue officer of BWDB in Kurigram.

Local farmer Sahidur Rahman, 65, said, "We are grateful to the authorities for taking prompt action after the newspaper report. We have truly benefitted from the BWDB's quick intervention."

Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of BWDB in Kurigram, said, "The canal has been freed from illegal occupation. It will be restored to its original state within four to five days."