The area around the Teesta Railway Bridge, located between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat, is alive with the slogans of "Jago Bahe-Tista Bachao" (Wake Up, Save Teesta).
Since Monday morning (17th February), millions of people have gathered at the rally site beneath the bridge, joining the 48-hour sit-in of the Teesta Save Movement. This sit-in is part of a larger movement demanding the implementation of the Teesta agreement and master plan across five districts in the Rangpur division.
The main rally began at 2 PM, and the program will continue for 48 hours. The aim is to unite the people of the Teesta region, pressure the government to meet their demands and raise awareness of Teesta’s issues on the global stage. By this time, participants from various sectors—students, farmers, fishermen, environmental activists, teachers, doctors, and others—have gathered to call for the protection of the Teesta River. The rally-goers display both frustration and hope; on one side, the river is nearing its end, but on the other, there is a growing sense of unity among the people.
Farmers attending the rally shared that the Teesta was once the main source of their livelihood, but now it has become filled with sand and stones. Their once fertile lands have turned into deserts. And when the water rises, they are forced to leave their homes.
Asadul Habib Dulul, the central organizational secretary of BNP, president of Lalmonirhat district BNP, and chief coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Committee, explained, "Since Monday morning, millions of people from the Rangpur region have gathered here on the Teesta banks. The demand for Teesta’s rightful water share and the implementation of the Teesta master plan is what the people of this region are asking for. That’s why they are not staying at home. They are gathering here on their own to hold the sit-in."
He added, "We will continue our sit-in for 48 hours. We have planned several activities, including folk songs, regional tunes, Baul music, Lalon, local songs, and traditional games like Ha-du-du, kite flying, gollachut, and running competitions. If our demands are not met after these 48 hours, we will announce further actions."
