KAILASHAHAR: A dispute between two contractor groups over repair work on the erosion-hit Manu river embankment near the India-Bangladesh border has sparked tension in Kailashahar’s northern sub-division, centred on the Lathiapura Gram Panchayat area.
Contractor Abdul Mannan and associates alleged that around 18 vehicles carrying sand-cement blocks, sent on the Flood Control Department’s directive, were held up on July 11 in Lathiapura and later forced to return. They claimed the group currently executing the work lacks adequate blocks and is using only soil and bamboo, which may not withstand monsoon flow, risking a fresh breach.
Countering this, contractor Shafat Mia, at a press conference alongside party worker Mataachhir Ali, said the allegations were baseless, claiming adequate materials were in stock and the work was proceeding under departmental supervision. He alleged the other side had tried to forcibly unload blocks without permission, and that two contractors could not feasibly work simultaneously in the narrow, fenced border stretch. Mataachhir Ali separately defended advocate Sandeep Debroy against the allegations, calling them unwarranted.
Residents across roughly 12 gram panchayats have urged swift administrative intervention to avoid delays ahead of monsoon flooding.