Those ruining rivers are like Razakars

Says minister Shahjahan

Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan yesterday compared polluting and encroachment of rivers to the activities of Razakars, who committed crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. The minister made the remark while speaking at a conference at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club. “Razakars had killed innocent people during the Liberation War. Those involved in ruining our rivers are as guilty as they were," he said. The minister said the government has been trying to free rivers and all water sources of encroachers. It has dug above 10,000km of rivers across the country as well. At present, it is working to free some 46 canals of Dhaka of  encroachers. Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), a forum of environmentalists, and Buriganga Riverkeeper jointly organised the conference on the future of the Buriganga river. The co-president of BAPA, Sultana Kamal, criticised the shipping minister at the same conference for his remarks that in some cases the government is helpless in protecting rivers. “We can't accept a minister of the government calling himself helpless. Slums in Dhaka can be demolished cruelly, but structures built by grabbing rivers are still standing,” she said. Sultana Kamal criticised Shahjahan Khan after he left the meeting. Writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the government should take effective measures to restore the original channel of the Buriganga.

Those ruining rivers are like Razakars

Says minister Shahjahan

Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan yesterday compared polluting and encroachment of rivers to the activities of Razakars, who committed crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. The minister made the remark while speaking at a conference at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club. Razakars had killed innocent people during the Liberation War. Those involved in ruining our rivers are as guilty as they were, he said. The minister said the government has been trying to free rivers and all water sources of encroachers. It has dug above 10,000km of rivers across the country as well. At present, it is working to free some 46 canals of Dhaka of encroachers. Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), a forum of environmentalists, and Buriganga Riverkeeper jointly organised the conference on the future of the Buriganga river. The co-president of BAPA, Sultana Kamal, criticised the shipping minister at the same conference for his remarks that in some cases the government is helpless in protecting rivers. We cant accept a minister of the government calling himself helpless. Slums in Dhaka can be demolished cruelly, but structures built by grabbing rivers are still standing, she said. Sultana Kamal criticised Shahjahan Khan after he left the meeting. Writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the government should take effective measures to restore the original channel of the Buriganga.