Hundreds of people including teachers, students, lawyers, businessmen, journalists and political activists from villages on the banks of the river took part in the programme.

With Nur Mohammad Master in the chair, the rally was addressed by, among others, Iqubal Hossain Khan, Gazi Kamrul Huda, Afjal Hossain Khan Joki, Nabagram Union Parishad (UP) ex-chairman advocate Nazrul Islam Badhsa, Advocate Abdul Jalil Bittu, Abdul Jalil, Zohirul Hoque and Habibur Rahman Swapan.

The speakers said the river water has been contaminated by waste from a textile mill at Gilondo village in the Sadar upazila.

People living in the 20 km area on the banks of the river are facing serious crisis of water. They cannot even bathe in the river, not to speak of using the water for cooking and other purposes because it has turned almost black due to pollution, the speakers said.

Fishes in the 20 kilometre stretch of the river are disappearing.

Many people in the area have been attacked with various chronic diseases after using the water, they said.

The PDRC leaders warned that they would call a hunger strike if their demand in not met by April 10.

Earlier, the PDRC had brought out a procession and held a rally on March 15 in the town demanding steps to protect the river from pollution.

But the administration did not take any action. Rather, the Manikganj DC said that the river water is pollution- free.