Activists have called for international judicial action against India and compensation for the victims of the recent floods, which they attribute to India's water aggression.

The demands were made during a 'Strike for Water Justice' program organized by the Feni Citizens' Platform 'We are Feni Residents' at the Shaheed Minar premises on Friday.

The event, chaired by Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Sciences at Stamford University, saw the presentation of the '11-point Feni Declaration' by Shahadat Hossain, editor of Daily Feni and general secretary of the Feni district committee of Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon).

The breach of a river dam has submerged 11 districts, including Feni, in floodwaters. Experts, civil society representatives, journalists, students, and people from various professions gathered to voice their concerns and demand justice.

The Feni Declaration calls for international intervention to hold India accountable for the devastating floods and to ensure that the affected individuals receive adequate compensation.

Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar asserted that the recent flood was not merely a natural calamity, holding India accountable for its part in the devastation.

He emphasized the profound mental, physical, and financial toll the flood has taken on the people of Feni and 10 other districts.

He urged the international community to provide adequate compensation and demanded the removal of any dams or barriers on shared rivers.

Mohammad Ejaz argued that India's control over dams on shared rivers poses a significant threat to Bangladesh, citing the recent flood as evidence.

He criticized the current government for its perceived inaction on water resource management and accused it of prioritizing development over environmental protection.

Mihir Biswas expressed confidence in the resilience of the people of Feni, urging India to adopt a more equitable approach to water management.

Humayun Kabir Suman asserted that the current flood was a result of political maneuvering rather than a natural disaster and called for international legal action against India.

Journalist leader M Abdullah highlighted India's history of aggression towards Bangladesh, including water terrorism,border killings, and trade aggression. He warned of consequences if India fails to change its behavior.

The '11-Point Feni Declaration' includes the following demands:

1. Removal of Dams: All dams/barriers, or whatever they may be called, from transboundary rivers must be removed.
2. International Legal Action: India is largely responsible for the flood in Feni's Parshuram due to intentional dam breaches. India must be held accountable in the International Court of Justice with the support of the United Nations.
3. Reconstruction of the Dam: The protective dam cut by India in the no-man’s land at Muhuri's Char must be promptly rebuilt.
4. Fair Water Distribution: Bangladesh's fair share of water must be ensured, and illegal extraction of water from the Feni River must cease.
5. Compensation for Affected Citizens: Every citizen affected by the flood must receive adequate compensation.
6. Compensation and Support for Businesses: Farmers, fishers, poultry, and other businesses affected by the flood must be provided compensation, incentives, and easy-term loans.
7. Repair of Educational and Infrastructure Damage: Damage to education and infrastructure sectors must be assessed and repaired as soon as possible.
8. Flood Erosion Control: Immediate effective measures are needed to prevent riverbank erosion. Action must be taken without delay to reconstruct the Moushpur Closure.
9. Climate Change Compensation: Global climate change also contributed to the increase in flood damage. Compensation must be sought from the responsible countries, and the Bangladesh government must take effective measures to combat climate change.
10. No Obstruction in Water Bodies: No obstructions should be created in water bodies in the name of development. Drained and silted rivers and canals must be restored, and strict action should be taken against encroachers.
11. Pollution and Deforestation Control: Effective measures are needed to prevent river and environmental pollution and to stop deforestation.

Several local youth organizations participated in the event, including Feni District Volunteer Family, Youth Net Global Feni Branch, Eco Revolution, Feni Student and Youth Association, Laskarpur Blood Donor Association, Mirza Foundation, Mission Green Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nature Conservation Alliance (BNCA), Proyas, Amrai Agami, and Feni Flood Response Team.

Burhan Uddin Faisal, one of the organizers from the 'We are Feni Residents' platform, conducted the event. Speakers included Mohammad Ejaz, a river and water expert; Mihir Biswas, convener of the Buriganga Save Movement and joint secretary of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA); Humayun Kabir Suman, joint secretary of BAPA; former president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) M Abdullah; women leader Nur Tanzila Rahman; former president of the Feni Press Club Abdur Rahim; editor of Daily Feni Arif Rizvi; joint secretary of the Feni District Lawyers' Association Md. Emdad Hossain; poet and social worker Fazlul Haque; social worker Amer Maki; Abdul Aziz, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Feni district; Imam Hossain, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in private universities; and poet and social worker Alauddin Ador.

Towards the end of the event, Professor Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan, a central leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed solidarity with the program.

The welcome address was given by Kefaayat Shakil, one of the organizers of the We are Feni Residents platform. Abdullah Hasan, another organizer, managed the event.

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