The boat race on the Sonai River in Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet will be held on time next Friday (28 August), following a meeting held last night between the organisers and those opposing the event.
The race, organised by young people from Lauta and Bahadurpur villages, had faced calls for cancellation from several people campaigning under the banner of ‘Tauhidi Janata’ for a week.
They also held a meeting at the local Barigram Bazar Mosque last Thursday under the same banner and made the same demand.
When the matter was published in the media, it drew criticism.
In this situation, Beanibazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Habiba Majumder assigned Lauta Union Chairman Delwar Hossain to resolve the matter.
Last night, a meeting was held at Baraigram market of the upazila, presided over by Delwar Hossain.
At that time, the organisers of the boat race and the opposing party were present. Later, based on everyone's consensus, it was decided to organise the boat race on time.
"The incident has been resolved by bringing both parties together," Delwar Hossain told Prothom Alo.
The boat races have been organised on the Sonai River for 15 to 20 years.
According to the organisers, the boat race will be held in the Trigangarmukh area of the Sonai River, located between Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet and Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar. Boats must be registered by noon next Friday to participate. The first prize will be a large cow, while the second prize will be a goat.