“We would like to make it clear to India that if you want to maintain a relationship with the people of Bangladesh, you must ensure our justified share of water from the Teesta, stop shooting our people along the border, and abandon the big brotherly attitude towards us,” Fakhrul said while addressing a gathering in Lalmonirhat.

While inaugurating a two-day programme across 11 points in the vicinity of the Teesta involving five northern districts, he called upon the interim government to take a stronger stance in ensuring a just share of Teesta water for Bangladesh.

The Teesta River Protection Movement organised the programme under the theme “Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai,” also demanding the swift implementation of the Teesta Mega Project.

He said Bangladesh wants to stand on its own feet and realise all its justified rights and shares as a neighbouring country of India.

The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh definitely wish to maintain friendly relations with India, but that relationship must be built on dignity, with all dues and fair shares recognised.

He said many had hoped India would ensure Teesta water for Bangladesh after the Awami League came to power in 2009. “But nothing happened. It (Awami League) sold Bangladesh to India but couldn’t secure even a drop of water.”

Fakhrul said their party fought against the Awami League regime over the past 15 years, and the chief of their party along with many leaders had fled to India following the 36-day intense movement led by students.

“On one hand, they (India) don’t provide us with our water, and on the other, they keep our enemy (Sheikh Hasina) in New Delhi like a queen,” he said.

The BNP leader alleged that from India Sheikh Hasina is instructing Awami League leaders and workers to create chaos in the country. “But all the Awami League leaders fled to India.”

Fakhrul said the current interim government claims itself to be impartial. “But it must not remain neutral over the Teesta water issue. You have to raise your voice to ensure our fair share of water.”

He also called on the interim government to swiftly arrange the next national election to hand over power to people and their elected representatives.

Presiding over the event, BNP’s Rangpur divisional organising secretary Asadul Habib Dulu said their movement is not of any party or opinion.

“This is the public demand of the entire Rangpur region. Through which the Teesta master plan, including the fair share of Teesta River water, will be implemented. We want satellite villages, economic zones, tourism centres, agricultural and industrial revolutions to be built in this neglected region through the Teesta master plan,” he said.

“The people of Rangpur region have united today to realise their demands and our movement will continue until our reasonable demands are met,” the BNP leader said.

Several lakhs of people from Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha under the Rangpur division joined the sit-in programme, with a good number of women attending.

Visiting the riverbanks,  people took position between Teesta Rail Bridge and Teesta Road Bridge after setting up tents and other makeshift structures.

The authorities concerned arranged food for those attending the programme.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Biplobi Workers Party’s General Secretary Saiful Haque, Jatiya Party (Jafar) Chairman Mostata Jamal Haider and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Singer Baby Nazin, among others, addressed the event where Mirza Fakhrul attended.

BNP standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, party’s Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki attended as the chief guests at the rest 10 spots.

Tuesday’s events include displaying documentation on the Teesta River, singing local songs, flying kites and playing native sports.

In the districts, massive publicities were conducted to woo people to join the 48-hour event for the past few days.