Local people demanded a bridge on the Atrai river.

They made the call at a human chain at Jharbari Chowrastamor in Birganj upazila yesterday. Jharbari-Joyganj Kheyaghat Setu Bastabayon committee organised the programme.

The speakers said people of Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Nilphamari have been suffering a lot just for absence of a bridge over the river for years.

Thakurgaon and Nilphamari towns are just 22km and 17km away from Chowrastamor in Birganj upazila.

Sheikh Md Jakir Hossain, convener of the committee, said the half an hour journey takes more than two hours just for absence of a bridge on Atrai.

Every day, hundreds of people cross the river by boat risking their lives, he said.

Dr AB Siddique, joint convener of the committee, and Syed Ataur Rahman, former president of Shatogram Awami League, were present.

They also threatened to launch a greater movement if their demand is not met immediately.