, Oct. 17 -- Northern Bangladesh witnessed a wave of torch rallies on Thursday evening as thousands gathered in five districts of Rangpur division demanding immediate implementation of the long-awaited Teesta River Master Plan.

The torchlight demonstrations were organised under the banner of the ongoing movement "Jaago Bahe Teesta Bachai" (Rise to Save Teesta), and took place simultaneously at 11 points in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Gaibandha.

BNP leader Asadul Habib Dulu, the chief coordinator of the movement, formally inaugurated the events.

He said that people from all walks of life joined the programme in unprecedented numbers, signaling a mass awakening over Teesta's fate.

"The Teesta is not just a river of t...