Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar issued the following statement on February 23 strongly condemning and protesting the Indian BSF's obstruction of Bangladesh in constructing dams on Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet district to control floods.

"I strongly condemn and protest the Indian BSF's obstruction of Bangladesh in constructing dams for flood control starting from zero point of Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet district up to 80 kilometers. When Bangladesh starts the construction of flood control dams on Surma and Kushiyara rivers, two big rivers in Sylhet, the Indian BSF has been repeatedly obstructing the activities. Even BSF has openly threatened l to open fire directly if the dam construction work is not stopped. Due to the BSF's threats, dam construction work has been stopped in 30 places in last 4 months. If this dam is not built, there is a risk of severe flooding in 14/15 upazilas of Sylhet, Zakiganj, Kanaighat, Beanibazar, Sunamganj, Fenchuganj, Bishnath, Balaganj and Osmani Nagar regions in the next monsoon season.

India cannot prevent Bangladesh from controlling floods inside Bangladesh. By preventing Bangladesh from building dams to control floods inside Bangladesh, India is violating international law. We call upon the Indian government to show respect for international law and refrain from preventing Bangladesh from building dams.

We strongly urge the Bangladesh government to take necessary diplomatic steps to build dams starting from the zero point of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers up to an area of 80 km before the next monsoon season, defying India's obstacles."