ICJ urged to hold India accountable for flooding in 11 districts

Renowned experts, civil society representatives, journalists and students have demanded that India be tried in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with the help of the United Nations and compensate the victims for flooding 11 districts of the country, including Feni, by opening river dams.

They made the demand at a programme titled 'Strike for Water Justice' organised by civic platform "We Are Fenian" at the Shaheed Minar premises in the district today (6 September).

Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar, dean of the Science Faculty at Stamford University and an environmental scientist, presided over the programme.

Kamruzzaman said, "People in 11 districts, including Feni, have suffered severe mental, physical, and financial losses due to this flood and India cannot evade its responsibility in any way."

He demanded appropriate compensation from the international community and the removal of dams or barrages on all common rivers.

Journalist Shahadat Hossain, editor of the Dainik Fenir Somoy and general secretary of the Feni district committee of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) — a citizen rights platform — presented a "11-point Feni Declaration".

Key demands in the "11-point Feni Declaration" include the immediate reconstruction of the security dam breached by India in the no-man's land of Muhurir Char, ensuring Bangladesh receives its fair share of water, and halting illegal water extraction from the Feni river. Additionally, compensation, incentives, and easy loans should be provided to farmers, fishermen, poultry farmers, and other businesses.

They also demanded for a swift assessment and repair of the damage to education and infrastructure and urged the Bangladesh government to take effective action against climate change.

They stressed that development projects should not obstruct water bodies and emphasised the need for measures to prevent river and environmental pollution, as well as deforestation.