India’s Release of Water Without Prior Notice Violates the Geneva Conventions: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, stated, “India’s release of water without any prior notice by opening the sluice gates has caused severe flooding in Bangladesh. The released water from India has significantly increased water levels in various low-lying districts, including Sylhet division, submerging the general population and forcing them to live under unbearable conditions. This act by India is a violation of the Geneva Conventions.”
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a roadside gathering and relief distribution event organized by the Rajnagar Upazila Jamaat in Moulvibazar district on Saturday (August 24).
The Jamaat Ameer continued, “The Awami League government has subjected Jamaat to oppression and brutality over the past 15 and a half years, which is not acceptable in a democratic country. By forming tribunals, our national leaders have been unjustly executed.”
He added, “Our leaders’ and activists’ homes have been looted, and many have been humiliated, with some losing their eyes. Despite all the suffering we have endured, we have forgiven these oppressors. However, those who executed our innocent leaders through these tribunals will now face justice in those same tribunals.”
The Jamaat Ameer further stated, “If there is any oppressed organization in Bangladesh, it is Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Despite all the persecutions, the brothers of this organization have not fled the country. They have continued to live on their ancestral land amid extreme oppression. But now, Awami League leaders and activists are terrified, floating away in all directions with the river’s water. They are being caught one by one using fishing traps.”
The roadside gathering, starting at 11 AM and presided over by Rajnagar Upazila Ameer Abu Rayhan Shaheen and conducted by Secretary Misaqbul Hasan, featured several notable speakers, including Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, Central Executive Committee member and Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer Md. Fakhrul Islam, Sylhet South District Ameer Professor Abdul Hannan, Regional Team Member and Former District Ameer Md. Abdul Mannan, District Ameer Engineer M. Shahed Ali, District Secretary Md. Yameer Ali, and District Assistant Secretary Md. Alauddin Shah.
Others who spoke at the event included District Executive Committee member Syed Tarekul Hamid, Moulvibazar Municipal Ameer Hafez Tajul Islam, Sadar Upazila Ameer Md. Fakhrul Islam, City President of Islami Chhatra Shibir Tarek Aziz, District President Hafez Alam Hossain, District Vice President of the Labour Welfare Federation Maulana Ahmed Faruq, Municipal Secretary Anwar Hossain Chowdhury Morshed, Sadar Upazila Secretary Dewan Ashiq Al Rashid Chowdhury, City Secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir Masud Rana Tuhin, District Secretary Nizam Uddin, Rajnagar Upazila Executive Committee member Sheikh Md. Shahab Uddin, Rajnagar Sadar Union Ameer Delwar Hossain Bablu, and Tengra Union President Mahmudur Rahman, among others.
Following the event, the Jamaat Ameer distributed essential food items weighing about 15 kilograms per package to approximately 200 helpless and distressed people. Later, after concluding roadside meetings in his home Upazilas of Kulaura and Kamalganj, he distributed essential food items to about 300 flood-affected individuals.
