Enamul Haque Enam, the Member of Parliament representing the Patiya constituency in Chittagong, has issued a stern directive to the public to surrender any individuals engaging in extortion, narcotics trade, or criminal activities under the guise of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to the police. This declaration was made on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, during an exchange of views meeting organised to mark the inauguration of the construction work for a Hydraulic Elevator Dam. The project is being spearheaded by the Water Development Board in the Haidgaon Rajghata Bridge area of Patiya Upazila.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, MP Enam emphasised that the party leadership maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding illicit activities. He stated that the party’s high command, specifically mentioning the stance of Tarique Rahman, has explicitly declared that no forms of extortion or terrorism will be permitted. He asserted that no wrongdoer would receive political patronage or sanctuary, regardless of their purported affiliations.
Directives on Regional Development and Discipline
During his speech, the Member of Parliament warned that any attempts to obstruct development projects within the constituency would be met with severe legal suppression. Conversely, he clarified that irregularities within the execution of these development works would not be tolerated. In a move to ensure administrative transparency and prevent local interference, MP Enam specified that party members are strictly prohibited from participating in informal arbitrations or local judicial settlements (salish).
Furthermore, he urged the residents of Patiya to remain vigilant against individuals who might attempt to exploit his name or office to facilitate irregularities. He requested that such persons be detained and handed over to the police immediately. For the resolution of any local grievances or issues, the MP encouraged citizens to establish direct communication with him rather than relying on intermediaries who might misuse political influence.
Technical Scope and Socio-Economic Impact of the Dam
The centrepiece of the day’s event was the commencement of the Hydraulic Elevator Dam project on the Srimai Canal. This initiative, which carries a total budgetary allocation of 133 crore Taka, is divided into five distinct packages. The scope of the work includes:
The installation of the Hydraulic Elevator Dam structure.
The placement of protective blocks.
The construction of permanent embankments.
MP Enam highlighted that the completion of this infrastructure will fundamentally alter the socio-economic landscape of Haidgaon and its surrounding localities. He noted that the dam would provide significant benefits to the agricultural sector by regulating water flow, creating a potential hub for local tourism, and generating new employment opportunities. Additionally, the project is designed to mitigate the suffering of residents in low-lying areas during periods of excessive rainfall by preventing flooding. The construction schedule for the project is slated to continue until 2027.
Event Attendance and Administrative Representation
The meeting was chaired by the former President of the Haidgaon Union BNP, Ajmal Hossain Jamal, and moderated by Youth Dal leader Kazi Arif. The event saw participation from high-ranking local administrative and technical officials, reflecting the collaborative nature of the project.
Special guests included the Patiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Farhanur Rahman, and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patiya Police Station, Ziaul Haque. Representing the technical implementation body, the Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Patiya Water Development Board, Prashanta Talukdar, and Assistant Engineer Mahbub Hossain were also in attendance to provide technical oversight. During his concluding remarks, MP Enam claimed that the initiation of such large-scale infrastructure projects marks a continuation of the development trajectory observed since the BNP-led government assumed office.