Jeliakhali Canal in Shyamnagar Re-Excavated for Tk 74 Lakh Occupied Within Two Months, Boro Farming on 2,000 Bighas at Risk

The benefits of the Jeliakhali government canal in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, re-excavated at a cost of about Tk 74 lakh, are not reaching local people. Barely two months after the excavation, allegations have arisen that local influential people have occupied the canal with nets and barriers to farm fish.

Local residents said a non-government development organisation re-excavated the 2.2-kilometre Jeliakhali government canal at a cost of Tk 74 lakh to meet drinking water needs and support farming. The canal had been the area's only water source.

Sukumar, a local farmer living beside the canal, alleged that several influential local people have divided the canal into seven sections with nets and bamboo barriers and started artificial fish farming. Because people cannot use the water of a canal excavated in the public interest, local agriculture is being affected.

Another resident, Jayanta Sarkar, said an irrigation water crisis has created uncertainty over boro cultivation on more than two thousand bighas of land on both banks of the canal.

The accused, including Ichhak Ali, have denied the occupation allegations. They claim they have no involvement in it.

Touhid Hasan, a site officer of the NGO CNRS in Shyamnagar, said the traditional Jeliakhali government canal was re-excavated with proper permission from the district and upazila administrations. He said the canal has been occupied since the excavation.

Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Miz Kausar Aziz said the local upazila administration has been instructed to take necessary legal steps to free the canal from illegal occupation and keep it open.