RAJSHAHI. Aug 7: The government decision to shift the Operation and Maintenance Department-2 of Water Development Board (WDB) from here to Chapainawabganj has evoked a strong protest from the local leaders, reports UNB.

A resistance committee formed earlier holds an emergency meeting on Thursday to finalise action programme against the government decision.

Representatives from all political parties, various professions and Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, Fazle Hossain Badhsa of the Left Front, Syed Shahadat Hossain of Awami League, Enamul’Haq of CPB and Ferdous Kamal Ma-sum of Workers Party have joined the movement.

The committee has demanded a separate department at Chapainawabganj. early implementation of all development projects, including reconstruction of 18-km Rajshahi town protection embankment and the Rajshahi irrigation project.

Water Resources Ministry has ordered the shifting of the Operation and Maintenance Department that reached the Chief Engineer on July 13. The local leaders met in vain with the Water Resources Minister in Dhaka on July 26 seeking withdrawal of the order.