Manmohan broke promise: Ershad
Thu, Dec 8th, 2011 11:38 pm BdST Dial 2000 from your GP mobile for latest news
Dhaka, Dec 8 (bdnews24.com) A key ally of the ruling coalition, Jatiya Party chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad has alleged that the Indian prime minister has gone back on his promise to Bangladesh on the Tipaimukh dam issue.
Taking up the cudgels, Jatiya Party will march towards Sylhet on Jan 10 to protest India's decision to go ahead with the Tipaimukh dam plan, Ershad said in a media briefing at the party's Banani office on Thursday.
"I believe he (Manmohan Singh) has failed to keep his promises, because they have signed agreements to build Tipaimukh dam," he said.
He said Singh had "assured" that India would not do anything that would harm the interests of "friendly" Bangladesh. "Manmohan Singh had also told prime minister Sheikh Hasina that Tipaimukh dam would not be built (by) harming Bangladesh," Ershad pointed out.
"There should be a joint study before India proceeds further, and the people should be informed whether it would be beneficial for them," he said.
He said the people of Bangladesh would stand against India's move and threatened severe protests if India goes ahead with the project. "The Indian government will (have to) take necessary steps if the people of Bangladesh hold strong protests," he said.
DELHI'S EARLIER 'ASSURANCE' TO DHAKA
The BBC had reported on Nov 19 that the Indian state of Manipur had signed contracts with several Indian government agencies to build the controversial Tipaimukh dam on Barak river, which flows into Bangladesh as Surma.
As Tipaimukh rests on earthquake prone zone, if it ever breaks Sylhet might go under water, environmentalists suspect.
Responding to a letter sent by the Bangladesh government inquiring about the project, India had assured that Bangladesh will not be affected by the dam.
On Nov 22, BNP chief Khaleda Zia wrote a letter to the Indian prime minister, asking for a joint survey before proceeding further with the hydroelectricity project. Manmohan Singh wrote back to Khaleda on Nov 24, assuring her that India would not do anything that might seriously affect Bangladesh.
On Dec 2, the Indian government reiterated to Hasina's advisors that India would not take steps on the proposed project that would adversely affect Bangladesh, and said that New Delhi was ready to hold discussion with Dhaka on the issue.
ERSHAD SEEKS GURANTEE THROUGH TREATY
On Thursday, Ershad sought a guarantee from India, through an international treaty, that the country will not use the dam's water for irrigation elsewhere. He hoped that Bangladesh would "get its share" of hydroelectricity produced in the 1,500-MW Tipaimukh power plant.
He requested the Indian government not to do anything that would harm Bangladesh and affect the "friendly relationship" of the two neighbours.
Asked whether his party is raising voice against the building of the dam, or for getting proper benefits once it is built, Ershad replied, "We will protest any move that would harm the country's interest."
He said his party chose to join the protests as "our friendly neighbour" had decided to build the Tipaimukh dam without consulting Bangladesh. He also warned that unless India reaches an agreement with Bangladesh on this issue, the government might have to knock at the international court for justice.
Ershad also refuted any connection with the main opposition party BNP in his party's protest on the Tipaimukh dam issue.
Manmohan broke promise: Ershad | Politics | bdnews24.com
Thu, Dec 8th, 2011 11:38 pm BdST Dial 2000 from your GP mobile for latest news
Dhaka, Dec 8 (bdnews24.com) A key ally of the ruling coalition, Jatiya Party chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad has alleged that the Indian prime minister has gone back on his promise to Bangladesh on the Tipaimukh dam issue.
Taking up the cudgels, Jatiya Party will march towards Sylhet on Jan 10 to protest India's decision to go ahead with the Tipaimukh dam plan, Ershad said in a media briefing at the party's Banani office on Thursday.
"I believe he (Manmohan Singh) has failed to keep his promises, because they have signed agreements to build Tipaimukh dam," he said.
He said Singh had "assured" that India would not do anything that would harm the interests of "friendly" Bangladesh. "Manmohan Singh had also told prime minister Sheikh Hasina that Tipaimukh dam would not be built (by) harming Bangladesh," Ershad pointed out.
"There should be a joint study before India proceeds further, and the people should be informed whether it would be beneficial for them," he said.
He said the people of Bangladesh would stand against India's move and threatened severe protests if India goes ahead with the project. "The Indian government will (have to) take necessary steps if the people of Bangladesh hold strong protests," he said.
DELHI'S EARLIER 'ASSURANCE' TO DHAKA
The BBC had reported on Nov 19 that the Indian state of Manipur had signed contracts with several Indian government agencies to build the controversial Tipaimukh dam on Barak river, which flows into Bangladesh as Surma.
As Tipaimukh rests on earthquake prone zone, if it ever breaks Sylhet might go under water, environmentalists suspect.
Responding to a letter sent by the Bangladesh government inquiring about the project, India had assured that Bangladesh will not be affected by the dam.
On Nov 22, BNP chief Khaleda Zia wrote a letter to the Indian prime minister, asking for a joint survey before proceeding further with the hydroelectricity project. Manmohan Singh wrote back to Khaleda on Nov 24, assuring her that India would not do anything that might seriously affect Bangladesh.
On Dec 2, the Indian government reiterated to Hasina's advisors that India would not take steps on the proposed project that would adversely affect Bangladesh, and said that New Delhi was ready to hold discussion with Dhaka on the issue.
ERSHAD SEEKS GURANTEE THROUGH TREATY
On Thursday, Ershad sought a guarantee from India, through an international treaty, that the country will not use the dam's water for irrigation elsewhere. He hoped that Bangladesh would "get its share" of hydroelectricity produced in the 1,500-MW Tipaimukh power plant.
He requested the Indian government not to do anything that would harm Bangladesh and affect the "friendly relationship" of the two neighbours.
Asked whether his party is raising voice against the building of the dam, or for getting proper benefits once it is built, Ershad replied, "We will protest any move that would harm the country's interest."
He said his party chose to join the protests as "our friendly neighbour" had decided to build the Tipaimukh dam without consulting Bangladesh. He also warned that unless India reaches an agreement with Bangladesh on this issue, the government might have to knock at the international court for justice.
Ershad also refuted any connection with the main opposition party BNP in his party's protest on the Tipaimukh dam issue.
Manmohan broke promise: Ershad | Politics | bdnews24.com
