A committee to »ave Bikrampur from the gradual erosion by the river Padma yesterday urged the government to take immediate mea sures to save the greater Bikrampur region

Depicting a pic^ifr of the erosion, the newly formed committee at a press confer ence said, in the last three years, the Padma devoured at least 25 to 30 square kilometer lands of the southern Blk rampur including Louhajang. Tongibari. Srinagar and Mun-shlganj.

We estimate that this ero sion has already damaged property worth Taka five hundred crores." convener of the committee Fakir Md Abdul Hamid said

Hamid, Wha was also a Upaxila chairman, noted that m^nv historical sites of Bikrampur Including Gandhir Math. Paler Bazar.anti schools, hospitals, houses and ariable land were devoured by the Padma.

Presently. Uie Louhajang telephone exchange building, thana court building and 10 villages were threatened by the Padma. HaiiUd added.

/ He pointed out that Bikrkm-pttr could be easily saved from , this erosion if the government took proper Initiatives. But he alleged that the government was not serious enough about the erosion and practically did nothing to stop the* gradual destruction.

On behalf of the committee. Hamid demanded the govern merit to declare the erosion affected area "distressed", rehabilitate the affected people, waivlng-agricultural loans of the affected farmers and rebuilding the schools, mosques and temples and bazars which were devoured by the Padma.