Sirajganj mosque leases section of river, local fishermen fear loss of livelihood

A local mosque committee in Sirajganj has leased a 2.5km stretch of the Gohala River, raising concerns among more than a hundred fishing families who depend on the river for their livelihood. On Thursday afternoon, the Udhunia Bazar Jame Mosque committee leased the river section near Udhunia village. Prior to the leasing, the committee announced the opportunity publicly on loudspeakers to invite bids. Abdul Hamid, vice-president of the mosque committee, said no one else will be allowed to fish within the leased area between the Bengali months of Ashwin to Chaitra without the lessee’s permission. However, authorities have clarified that rivers are government property, and no individual or committee has the legal right to lease them. The Gohala River stretches...