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Residents of Jhinjirpara in Tepakharibari Union under Dimla upazila of Nilphamari formed a human chain on Saturday, demanding immediate action to remove waterlogging caused by alleged illegal construction that has blocked natural water flow.
More than 200 people, including students, farmers and local residents, joined the demonstration, alleging that Abdul Majid and his son Azizur Rahman built houses on both sides of a bridge, obstructing the drainage system.
According to the protesters, the blocked waterway has left around 500 acres of cropland waterlogged, affecting hundreds of families and causing severe losses to farmers in five villages. Students of three educational institutions are also facing difficulties commuting due to the flooding.
Local resident Ashikur Rahman said the area had several bridges before the devastating 2016 flood. After residents gradually returned, houses were built around the bridges, blocking water flow and rendering once-fertile farmland unsuitable for cultivation.
Another resident, Anichur Rahman, alleged that despite public objections, influential individuals constructed houses on both sides of a government-built bridge that had cost around Tk 8 million.
Former union parishad member Saheb Ali said repeated requests to keep the bridge approaches free were ignored, resulting in the loss of arable land and widespread farming difficulties.
Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Imranuzzaman said the administration had taken note of the protest and would investigate the allegations. He said legal action would be taken if any illegal occupation or structure was found obstructing public land or the natural flow of water.
