Agartala: Jan 22: Birjit Sinha, the MLA of Kailashahar constituency in Unakoti district, held a press conference on Wednesday at the district Congress office to discuss the ongoing flood situation and concerns regarding the embankment in Kailashahar. The press conference followed a disruption in the state assembly, where Sinha raised the issue of Bangladesh constructing a large embankment in the Devipur area of Rangauti Gram Panchayat, Kailashahar. State minister Sudhanshu Das expressed support for Sinha’s concerns, prompting the Chief Minister to take note of the issue and urge swift action.
Following these concerns, district magistrate Dilip Kumar Chakma, along with other officials, inspected the embankment along the India-Bangladesh border. Sinha emphasized that Kailashahar is a flood-prone area, with the state embankment along the Manu river, built decades ago, in a dilapidated condition. Despite occasional repairs, no substantial work has been done. He urgently called for raising and widening the embankment on the Indian side to prevent potential flooding this year. Additionally, he demanded the repair of several sluice gates in the city.
Sinha also highlighted a dispute over the construction of the Bangladesh embankment, with the BSF calling it a road, but the Indian government needs to clarify the matter. He accused the Indian government of negligence in this regard.
The former MLA announced that the Congress party would launch a protest, starting with a road blockade near Kailashahar airport on the 25th of this month, followed by a long march from Tila Bazar to Devipur in Rangauti Gram Panchayat. District Congress president Badruzzaman also voiced concerns about the embankment’s condition, warning of potential flooding and promising a 48-hour shutdown if no repairs are initiated within the next 15 days.
