FROM PAGE 3

The 82km Ichamati river originates from the Padma and flows into the Hurasagar in Bera upazila of Pabna. Over the decades, the river has almost disappeared due to rampant encroachment and pollution.

“People of Pabna have long been struggling to save the Ichamati, which is our lifeline. Finally, the much-talked-about project has started. We want proper dredging as per the CS map to rejuvenate the river,” said SM Mahabub Alom, an organiser of the Ichamati saving movement.

WDB earlier identified 1,053 illegal structures on the river and removed them. Yet encroachers, who allegedly prepared land documents in their favour over decades, have taken the matter to court.

“Ichamati will be dredged according to the CS map. Once legal issues are settled, we will complete the project,” said Shudhangsha Kumar Sarkar, superintendent engineer of WDB and project director of the scheme. “As encroachers have gone to court, we have to fight it out legally.”

Land occupiers, however, claimed that a petty-settlement known as petty-CS was made during the British period. “Most occupiers have four records. Those who have legal papers went to court,” said Md Maxim, one of the listed encroachers.

“We are not against the river. If our land is needed, it should be acquired as per government rules with proper compensation,” he said.