ঢাকাশনিবার , ৮ অগাস্ট ২০২৬
Protesting years of neglect and demanding fair rights, residents of Satkhira organized a citizen rally in Dhaka against persistent development disparities. The rally, convened by the Satkhira Development Coordination Forum, was held on Sunday morning at 10:30 am in front of the National Parliament on Manik Mia Avenue.
Moderated by Forum President Iqbal Masud, the event drew over 400 participants, including community leaders, professionals, and students from Satkhira. Notable speakers included Engineer Abul Kashem, President of Satkhira District Association in Dhaka; Advocate Yarul Islam, Advisor of Satkhira District Association; Shamsul Alam, Vice President of Satkhira District Association; Moshiur Rahman Babu, General Secretary of Satkhira Citizens’ Rights and Development Coordination Committee; Sheikh Moazzem Hossain, Vice President of Greater Khulna Association; journalist Saidur Rahman, and student leaders from Dhaka University, among others.
Speakers highlighted Satkhira’s significant contribution to the national economy and revenue, yet pointed out that the district has been overlooked for major development initiatives for the past 17 years. Despite being home to the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting millions of tourists annually, the district suffers from poor transportation infrastructure, limited access to safe drinking water, and underdeveloped education and health facilities.
They also noted the absence of basic amenities such as a sports complex, railway connectivity, and food processing facilities, calling on the government to address these long-standing gaps.
Raising the slogan “No more discrimination, we demand our equitable rights,” participants presented a 17-point charter of demands. These included:
Implementation of rural infrastructure development projects, Railway network expansion to Satkhira, Sustainable eco-tourism initiatives around the Sundarbans, Coastal embankment construction, Establishment of a University of Science and Technology and a Surveyors’ Institute, Development of a full-fledged international land port, Modern irrigation systems and agri-product preservation facilities, Nursing Institute and cancer treatment center, Declaration of Satkhira as a Grade-1 district and upgrading Patkelghata to upazila status, Modern bus terminal and international-standard stadium construction, Emergency rural healthcare, long-term river erosion and waterlogging control projects, Investment in pottery, shrimp, mango, and fishery processing facilities, Technology-driven border surveillance to combat smuggling and drug trafficking
Speakers expressed optimism that with greater government support and equitable resource allocation, Satkhira could transform into a major economic hub for Bangladesh.
