Trinamool leaders of Malda and Murshidabad launched a demonstration in front of the office of the Farakka Barrage Project Authority (FBPA) on Sunday in protest against the Centre’s indifference to handling the dual issues of erosion and floods.

Abdur Rahim Boxi, the TMC president of Malda district, said on Monday that they will continue the demonstration till September 12.

He mentioned that earlier, the FBPA used to take care of the flood and erosion along a stretch of 80 kilometres up and downstream of the Ganga, with Malda and Murshidabad located on its left and right banks respectively.

“However, in 2017, the BJP government at the Centre reduced the jurisdiction of FBPA to 20 kilometres, which left lakhs of residents in seven to eight blocks of these districts in peril. The state government has time and again requested the Centre to provide funds to check erosion and flood and to rehabilitate the people. But nothing has been done so far and the state has to handle these issues entirely. That is why, we are in protest,” said Boxi.

On August 27, a delegation of TMC had submitted a memorandum to FBPA. “The authorities had assured that steps would be taken in a week. However, no step has been taken so far and thus, we have launched the demonstration,” said Samar Mukherjee, a senior Trinamool MLA from Malda.

Every day, the demonstration would be held from 10 am to 6 pm, sources said.

“On September 12, we will demonstrate here till 1 pm. Then, we would hold a public meeting in Kaliachak,” he added.

TMC insiders said after the demonstration, senior leaders of both districts will sit and draw up a plan to continue their movement on the issue.

“It is a major issue for Malda and Murshidabad residents and now, Trinamool is trying to exert pressure on the Centre,” said an observer.