Key Takeaways:
- Protest held Friday at Gaighat's main square under slogan "Where Is Hattimara?"
- River allegedly encroached and converted into settlement after 2006 People's Movement
- Land mafias accused of occupying and selling public river land
- Protesters vow to continue until authorities take concrete action
Holding banners that read "Where Is Hattimara?", activists, students and local traders gathered at Gaighat's main square on Friday, launching a public campaign to reclaim what they say was once the Hattimara River but is now an encroached settlement.
The demonstration, led by campaigner Khem Narayan Yadav, sought to draw public attention to the alleged disappearance of the river, which flowed through the southern part of Gaighat Bazaar before being overtaken by encroachment.
According to the campaigners, the river came under widespread encroachment following the 2006 People's Movement, with land mafias allegedly occupying and selling the river's public land, paving the way for settlements to be built over its original course.
Yadav said he had been campaigning to restore the river for years but had received little support from either the local administration or the municipality. He said the group had now taken the issue to the streets to build public pressure after repeated appeals went unanswered.
The campaign recently submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding the restoration of the Hattimara River, removal of all encroachments and legal action against those allegedly involved in grabbing and selling public land.
The protesters said the campaign would continue until authorities take concrete steps to recover the river and protect public property from further encroachment.
